Summary
Canada’s Jewish candidates faced mixed fortunes on election night, reflecting shifting community priorities amid debates over Israel and security. Western Canada’s newest Jewish Conservative MP is Tamara Kronis of Nanaimo—Ladysmith, who flipped the seat for the Tories. In Manitoba, two-term Conservative MP Marty Morantz was unseated in Winnipeg West by Liberal Dr. Doug Eyolfson. In Ontario’s York Centre, Liberal MP Ya’ara Saks, the first Israeli-Canadian cabinet minister, lost to Conservative Roman Baber. Meanwhile, in Montreal, veteran Liberal Anthony Housefather secured a fourth term in Mount Royal.
Incumbent Victories
Anthony Housefather, Mount Royal (Liberal)
Veteran MP won re-election to his fourth term, maintaining his staunch support for Israel in Parliament.
Melissa Lantsman, Thornhill (Conservative)
Co-Deputy Leader of the Official Opposition re-elected, reinforcing her role as a leading Jewish Conservative voice on Israel and security issues.
Rachel Bendayan, Outremont (Liberal)
Secured another term, ensuring continued strong Liberal and Jewish representation in Montreal.
Ben Carr, Winnipeg South Centre (Liberal)
Incumbent MP re-elected in Winnipeg South Centre, carrying forward his late father’s legacy and his own commitment to advocacy on behalf of Canada’s Jewish community and unwavering support for Israel.
Notable Defeats
Ya’ara Saks, York Centre (Liberal)
Ya’ara Saks, Liberal MP and first Israeli-Canadian cabinet minister, was defeated in York Centre by Conservative Roman Baber, a former Ontario PC MPP expelled from caucus in 2021.
Marty Morantz, Winnipeg West (Conservative)
Two-term MP Marty Morantz lost his bid for re-election in Winnipeg West, with Liberal Dr. Doug Eyolfson, who previously held the seat from 2015 to 2019, reclaiming the riding for the Liberals.
New Jewish MPs
Tamara Kronis, Nanaimo—Ladysmith (Conservative)
Tamara Kronis, a lawyer, human rights advocate, and goldsmith, narrowly lost to NDP incumbent Lisa Marie Barron by fewer than 1,200 votes in 2021 before flipping the seat for the Conservatives this election.
Roman Baber, York Centre (Conservative)
Roman Baber returned to federal politics by defeating Ya’ara Saks in York Centre, echoing his prior service in the Ontario legislature and signaling Conservative gains among Jewish voters concerned with free speech and Israel policy.
Community Response
Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) congratulated Prime Minister Carney on his victory and praised Jewish volunteers and voters for their “outsized contribution” to democracy. CIJA interim president Noah Shack emphasized that Jewish Canadians “showed up in a big way” and warned that the next Parliament must “urgently advance serious and impactful solutions” on antisemitism and Israel policy.
B’nai Brith Canada issued a statement welcoming the election outcome and calling for “robust enforcement of hate-crime laws, enhanced protection for Jewish institutions and communities, and serious educational initiatives to counter hatred and extremism.” The group declared it “stands ready to work with the new government to ensure that Jewish life in Canada can flourish in safety, dignity and peace.”
Political analysts observed that Jewish voter priorities, namely, security, antisemitism, and Israel policy, played a decisive role in numerous ridings across the country. They noted that Jewish Canadians evaluated domestic concerns and foreign-policy positions, highlighting the community’s nuanced and multifaceted approach to electoral decision-making.
Implications for the Jewish Community
The 2025 federal election results offer renewed hope for Canada’s Jewish community, hope that unwavering support for Israel will translate into concrete diplomatic backing, that the rising tide of antisemitism will finally be met with decisive, well-resourced action, and that Jewish Canadians will enjoy meaningful, lasting protections in law and practice. At the same time, there is concern that a Liberal minority government may struggle to deliver on these promises, especially amid competing economic and trade priorities; that toughened hate-crime legislation could stall in committee or be watered down; and that security funding for synagogues, schools, and community centers might fall victim to broader budget constraints. Jewish leaders also worry that stronger rhetoric will not suffice unless paired with real accountability, regular reporting on antisemitic incidents, harmonized enforcement across provinces, and sustained investment in education and community resilience. In this mixed landscape of promise and peril, the community remains vigilant, ready to hold Ottawa to its word while urging Canadians to ensure that hope does not outpace action.
Strengthening Canada–Israel Relations
Prime Minister Mark Carney used his victory speech to reassure Jewish Canadians that their safety and Israel’s security would remain top priorities under his minority government. He balanced steadfast support for Israel’s right to self-defense with humanitarian concern for Gaza’s civilians, reaffirmed his commitment to a two-state solution, and invoked “Never Again” as a binding promise, not just a slogan. Carney also signaled a shift toward independent diplomacy, declaring that Canada would no longer accept being “broken” by U.S. tariffs and would instead build alliances with like-minded democracies, including Israel, on its own terms.
Carney reaffirmed Canada’s historic bond with Israel, noting that he had met with Prime Minister Netanyahu in 2012 and would continue deepening security cooperation and intelligence sharing between the two nations. He stated plainly that Ottawa would support Israel’s efforts to remove Hamas from Gaza, reflecting moral clarity.
Although the Conservatives were defeated, Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre’s campaign focus on Israel and rising antisemitism continues to shape the political conversation. His promises, such as tougher hate-crime laws and stronger responses to campus protests, now serve as pressure points on the minority Liberal government, which may adopt or adapt aspects of his platform to maintain public confidence and respond to community demands.
Combating the Rise in Antisemitism
The re-election of staunchly pro-Israel MPs, Anthony Housefather in Mount Royal, Melissa Lantsman in Thornhill, and Rachel Bendayan in Outremont, ensures continued parliamentary advocacy for stronger hate-crime legislation and IHRA implementation.
New Jewish Conservative MPs Tamara Kronis and Roman Baber bring fresh momentum to the fight against online and street-level Jew-hatred, reflecting the community’s demand for assertive leadership on antisemitism.
CIJA has called on the minority government to convert broad pledges into binding policies, warning that Canadian Jews face unprecedented threats unseen since World War II.
Carney’s campaign promise to pass tougher laws to stop harassment at places of worship underpins legislative priorities for victim protection and community safety.
Protecting the Jewish Community
Following repeated attacks on Montreal synagogues, including arson at Congregation Beth Tikvah, federal and provincial leaders have condemned the violence and vowed swift justice, underscoring the need for emergency security funding and rapid-response mechanisms.
Carney vowed to “protect Canadian Jews” amid surging antisemitism, quoting Holocaust survivor Elie Wiesel: “In extreme situations where human lives and dignity are at stake, neutrality is a sin.” He condemned the recent defacement of a Montreal synagogue with swastikas, “It has to stop,” he declared on social media, and promised swift federal action to enhance security at Jewish schools, synagogues, and community centers
Poilievre’s pledge to deport foreign nationals who commit antisemitic crimes and enhance penalties for hate-motivated vandalism and arson brings the prospect of stronger legal deterrents.
As Canada navigates a volatile global landscape, Jewish Canadians expect the new Parliament to prioritize security grants, Holocaust education mandates, and an integrated national strategy to protect minority rights, while also combating the rise of antisemitism on our streets, in our schools, universities, and workplaces.
The election’s outcomes and campaign pledges together offer renewed hope for safeguarding Jewish life in Canada, reinforcing the Canada–Israel alliance, adopting comprehensive measures to combat antisemitism, and fortifying community security. Although the Liberals remain in a minority position, Prime Minister Carney’s firm commitments on pro-Israel policy and Jewish safety have set clear expectations that Parliament will strengthen hate-crime legislation, expand funding for community protection initiatives, and maintain rigorous enforcement against antisemitism both online and in our streets.