In a significant call to action, a Senate committee has urged the federal government to form a dedicated task force and restore the position of a special envoy to combat the alarming rise of antisemitism in Canada. The Senate Committee on Human Rights presented its findings in a report titled *Standing United Against Antisemitism: Protecting Communities and Strengthening Canadian Democracy*, unveiled on Tuesday. The study, which included testimonies from 44 experts and 36 written submissions over the past year, highlights a worrying trend: the Jewish community is now the primary target of religiously motivated hate crimes in Canada, constituting approximately 70 per cent of such incidents reported in 2023 and 2024.
A Community Under Siege
Senator Paulette Senior, chair of the committee, expressed her deep concern during a news conference, stating, “It is unacceptable to me, and the committee, that a community should live in fear just because of who they are or what they believe.” This sentiment underscores the gravity of the situation, as the report outlines 22 recommendations aimed at addressing the issue of antisemitism and enhancing the safety of Jewish Canadians.
Among the key proposals is the establishment of an interdepartmental task force that would involve crucial federal agencies, including the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), and Canadian Heritage. Senator Kristopher Wells, a committee member, emphasised that this task force would facilitate a coordinated response to antisemitism, with an annual report to Parliament to monitor progress.
Restoring the Special Envoy Role
Another pivotal recommendation is the reinstatement of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, a position that was replaced earlier this year by a broader advisory council aimed at tackling hate and fostering national unity. Senator David Arnot cautioned against the loss of the envoy role, stating, “Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. The envoy has created a wealth of understanding and good relationships. We should be building on that, not eliminating it.”
The report highlights that antisemitic sentiments are not confined to isolated incidents but have infiltrated workplaces, unions, schools, and university campuses. The testimony revealed distressing scenarios, with some Jewish students opting to hide their identities and children as young as seven facing harassment and threats.
The Digital Landscape and Antisemitism
The committee’s findings also point to the role of digital platforms in exacerbating the issue. The anonymity of social media and gaming sites has allowed hate speech to proliferate unchecked, prompting the committee to recommend that the federal government invest in digital literacy initiatives to help individuals recognise misinformation and online hatred. Furthermore, there is a call for collaboration with provincial and territorial governments to launch a national public awareness campaign aimed at combating hate and antisemitism.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has welcomed the committee’s recommendations, asserting that they come at a critical juncture. CEO Noah Shack remarked, “Antisemitism is no longer confined to the margins – it has spread across our society and institutions.” Shack reiterated the necessity for law enforcement and intelligence agencies to bolster their efforts against antisemitism and advocated for increased investment in the Canada Community Security Program.
Legislative Action and Community Safety
In addition to the committee’s recommendations, there is a pressing need for the government to pass Bill C-9, which seeks to criminalise the obstruction of individuals accessing places of worship and the promotion of hatred towards religious and ethnic groups through the public display of hate symbols. Shack noted that, if enacted, this legislation would enhance the tools available to law enforcement and prosecutors, thereby strengthening protections for vulnerable communities.
The urgency of these measures is underscored by warnings from the federal Integrated Threat Assessment Centre (ITAC), which indicated a “realistic possibility” of a violent attack against Canada’s Jewish community in the coming months. This warning follows a troubling spike in antisemitic incidents, particularly after the tragic events of October 7, 2023, when Hamas launched an attack that resulted in over 1,200 fatalities