Toronto – When I hear the phrase “None is too many,” I am reminded of a shameful chapter in Canadian history, the refusal to admit Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution. That phrase was once a dark stain on our nation’s conscience. But today, I fear it is no longer just a memory. It is quietly becoming policy once again.
Over the past 20 months, the situation for Jewish Canadians has deteriorated alarmingly. Antisemitic attacks have surged to unprecedented levels. Violent assaults, vandalism, and hate crimes targeting Jews are now disturbingly routine across our cities and towns. This is not an isolated problem; it is a national crisis.
What makes this crisis worse is that nearly 20 percent of Canadian parliamentarians openly express anti-Israel views that many, including myself, consider antisemitic. When former and current prime ministers, along with senior cabinet ministers, repeatedly blood-libel Israel, they normalize hatred at the highest levels of government. This isn’t just rhetoric; it shapes public opinion and policy.
Our public broadcaster, funded by taxpayers, has also played a troubling role. Time and again, it has spread misinformation that demonizes Israel and defames the Jewish community. This biased narrative fuels division and emboldens those who would attack Jews.
Jewish charities, which have long been pillars of our community, are now under siege. The Canada Revenue Agency revoked the charitable status of respected organizations like the Ne’eman Foundation and the Jewish National Fund. This is not just bureaucratic oversight, it is a targeted attack on Jewish communal life.
Religious freedoms are also under threat. Since 2021, the federal food inspection agency has imposed new regulations on kosher slaughter that have severely disrupted kosher meat production and availability across Canada. Thankfully, the Federal Court recognized these guidelines as discriminatory in 2024 and granted an injunction. But the damage done and the intent behind these policies cannot be ignored.
Perhaps most chilling is the RCMP’s investigation of Jewish Canadians who returned to Israel after October 7 to defend their people against a genocidal terrorist onslaught. These are Canadians exercising their right to support their homeland and protect their families, yet they are being scrutinized as if they were criminals.
Some may argue these agencies act independently, free from political influence. But these bodies are government-funded and mandated. History teaches us to be wary. Remember how the IRS targeted conservative groups in the U.S. under Obama? Canada is no different. When pressured by political elites, institutions wield their power to marginalize and silence.
What we are witnessing is a deliberate, systemic pattern: financial, judicial, and governmental institutions attacking the Jewish community on multiple fronts. This is not a coincidence or mere oversight. It is a coordinated assault that demands urgent attention and accountability.
If Jewish Canadians can be targeted with impunity in this way, then Canada is no longer a safe or free country for its Jews. It is something far more dangerous. The storm is not coming, it is already here.
Hoping this will pass is no longer an option. It is time to stand up, speak out, and confront this rot at its core. We must ensure that “None is too many” remains a shameful memory of the past, not a policy of the present or future.
Igal Hecht is a proud Jewish-Canadian and Zionist advocate, dedicated to defending the rights and safety of Jewish communities in Canada and around the world.
This article reflects the author’s personal experience and the urgent realities facing Jewish Canadians today. It is a call to action for all who value justice, freedom, and human dignity.