Winnipeg Federation CEO Presses Carney Over Rising Antisemitic Intimidation

WINNIPEG – Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Jewish community leaders in Ottawa on matters of antisemitism and community safety. The only Winnipeg leader in attendance was Jeff Lieberman, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, who spoke exclusively with The J about the session and his concerns.

In an extensive meeting, Carney said he condemned the recent rise in antisemitic incidents. The prime minister outlined proposed legislative and funding measures to protect places of worship, schools, and community centres, and said Ottawa intends to press provinces and municipalities to strengthen enforcement.

Lieberman told The J that he raised the real human impact of rising intimidation in Winnipeg. “We talked about families who are scared to send their kids to school, and about how Jews are being left out of community events and public spaces,” he said. He added that he had detailed the incident near the Israel Pavilion during Folklorama. “I spoke about what happened right outside our own campus during Folklorama,” Lieberman said. “The intimidation and fear our community felt that night needed to be heard directly by the Prime Minister.”

Carney’s broader foreign policy move this week included Canada’s recognition of the State of Palestine. In his statement, Carney said Canada has long supported a negotiated two-state outcome and that recognition is intended to preserve the possibility of a sovereign, democratic, and viable Palestinian state alongside Israel. He said recognition would be paired with pressure for Palestinian reforms, including demilitarization and elections in 2026, in which Hamas can play no part. Ottawa said it would intensify support for reform implementation and the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Critics inside Canada said Ottawa’s diplomatic step should not come at the expense of domestic safety. Conservative politicians and community leaders urged the government to ensure that international actions are matched by concrete measures to protect Jewish Canadians. Conservative MP Roman Baber wrote that “you reward Hamas for the greatest act of barbarism in modern history” and warned that recognition without strict benchmarks would be read as a political prize rather than a diplomatic lever. Pierre Poilievre said the decision “rewards violence, not peace.”

National Jewish organizations urged Ottawa to tie any diplomatic progress to verifiable security and governance benchmarks. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said recognition without enforceable benchmarks “has rewarded Hamas, emboldened extremists and undermined efforts to secure the release of Israeli hostages.” B’nai Brith Canada described the move as “dangerously premature” and questioned whether the Palestinian Authority can yet be trusted as a partner in building a peaceful state.

Representatives of hostage families said timing matters. The Hostages and Missing Families Forum warned that unconditional recognition while 48 hostages remain in Hamas captivity could hinder efforts to secure their release and urged that any diplomatic progress be linked to immediate humanitarian and hostage-release measures.

On the ground in Winnipeg, the Jewish Federation has increased security at community sites and worked with festival organizers after volunteers reported protesters using loud recordings and shouted threats at the Israel Pavilion. Lieberman said volunteers and visitors felt intimidated and that some families are reconsidering routine activities. “There is still a lot of work ahead to address the issues, but our voices are being heard where it counts,” he said. “We will always stand up for Jewish life and for the right to live proudly as Jews here in Winnipeg.”

Analysts said Ottawa’s commitments will be judged on implementation and on whether federal measures are matched by provincial and municipal action. Proposed criminal provisions and targeted funding could strengthen enforcement if tied to clear metrics and prompt cooperation with local police forces.

For community leaders like Jeff Lieberman, measurable outcomes will determine whether families feel safe enough to resume normal civic participation.

This article is based on verified information from the Prime Minister’s Office readout, The J, the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, B’nai Brith Canada, and reporting by Reuters and The Associated Press.