It has been one of the most challenging times for Jewish people in Canada since the Holocaust, and the Trudeau government bears significant responsibility. With his recent announcement that he plans to step down once the Liberal Party selects a successor, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's resignation marks the end of a disgraceful era.
Issues such as inflation and immigration have made Canada increasingly unlivable under this government's leadership. Media outlets and public figures have labeled Trudeau "the worst Prime Minister in Canadian history." Indeed, millions of Canadians are eager to turn the page on this dark chapter.
For Canadian Jews in particular, his resignation offers a glimmer of hope – a chance to confront the virulent strain of antisemitism that has taken root in Justin Trudeau's Canada. This government has capitulated to extremists and has allowed Canada to become a place where radical Islamists feel safe to chant pro-terror rhetoric openly. Every other day, Canadian Jews have to watch antisemites sport "Heil Hitler" signs or burn Israeli and Canadian flags. We constantly hear hateful slogans on our streets like "Death to Israel. Death to Canada," "There is only one solution," and even "Long Live October 7." Groups associated with terror organizations, such as the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Islamic Regime in Iran, have acted with impunity, spreading pro-terror rhetoric without fear of consequence.
After Hamas infiltrated Israel on October 7, 2023, ruthlessly slaughtering 1,200 Israelis and taking over 250 hostages, life for Israelis and Jews in the diaspora has been a living nightmare.
Canada, once a beacon of moral clarity on the global stage, has turned its back on Israel. Trudeau's government endorsed biased anti-Israel resolutions at the UN, supported the ICJ smear campaign and UNRWA despite its connections to Hamas, and pushed for a ceasefire that shields the terror group in Gaza. At home, the government has failed to address the dramatic rise of antisemitism. This shift represents a betrayal of Canada's once-principled foreign policy.
Since October 7, antisemitism in Canada has surged by 670% compared to the previous year. This shocking increase includes violent incidents such as shootings targeting Jewish institutions and arson attacks on schools, synagogues, and other community centers. Although Jews comprise only 1.4% of Canada's population, they are the targets of 70% of all religious hate crimes.
The unrest in Montreal on November 22 starkly illustrated the depth of antisemitism gripping Canada. During the 70th annual NATO parliamentary assembly, rioters linked to Divest for Palestine, and the Convergence of Anti-Capitalist Struggles wreaked havoc on the city. They detonated smoke bombs, hurled metal barriers into the streets, smashed windows of businesses and the convention center hosting NATO delegates, and even set cars ablaze. Among their acts was burning an effigy of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
While Montreal was engulfed in chaos, Prime Minister Trudeau was in Toronto, attending a Taylor Swift concert, dancing, and handing out friendship bracelets.
The community I grew up in – Toronto – has faced relentless harassment from pro-Hamas activists who gather outside synagogues to intimidate worshippers. Jewish day schools have been firebombed, making the simple act of sending children to school a safety hazard. Having once called Canada home, and with much of my family still living there, I am deeply troubled by the future of Canadian Jewry. Antisemitic hate crimes have become routine, and the government has appeared either blind to the issue, paralyzed by it, or indifferent to it.
Justin Trudeau's failure to protect Canadian Jews during this critical period is not only a betrayal of the Jewish community but also a failure of leadership that resonates far beyond Canada's borders. By allowing extremism to thrive and antisemitism to rise unchecked, Trudeau has undermined the moral foundation that once defined Canada's role on the world stage.
Canada's moral clarity matters – not just for the safety and dignity of its Jewish citizens or for Israelis under attack, but for the entire free world. When a nation like Canada turns a blind eye to hatred and terror, it emboldens extremists everywhere and weakens the global fight for democracy and human rights. Canada must reclaim its principles, starting with a new chapter defined by courage, integrity, and an unyielding stance against hatred in all its forms. The world is watching, and Canadian Jews, along with countless others, deserve better.
