The Toronto Police Hate Crime Unit is probing the removal of mezuzahs from the entrances of a TCHC apartment complex in North York, CP24 reports. Authorities confirmed that an unknown quantity was stolen from a building in the Westminster area, near Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West, though the specific timing of the theft remains unclear.
Police stated that all complaints regarding the incident were received on Sunday. York Centre Councilor James Pasternak addressed the situation on X, revealing that the scrolls at 6250 Bathurst St. were "torn off." He declared, "This is an act of hate directed at Jewish residents – seniors who deserve safety, stability, and dignity in their own homes," noting he had "spoken with the rabbi and connected the building with 32 Division."
Pasternak emphasized to CP24 that "There is no excuse for targeting people because they are Jewish. Toronto cannot look the other way while seniors are intimidated in their hallways. We will continue working with residents, Toronto Seniors Housing, and police until safety is restored." In a subsequent statement, the councilor said he was "shocked and disgusted by the hateful vandalism that took place last night at the TCHC building at 6250 Bathurst Street."
All of the mezuzas at 6250 Bathurst Street (TSHC) have been torn off. We have spoken with the rabbi and connected the building with 32 Division.
This is an act of hate directed at Jewish residents — seniors who deserve safety, stability, and dignity in their own homes.
There is… pic.twitter.com/p8W3CEI8s9
— James Pasternak (@PasternakTO) December 7, 2025
"Approximately 15-20 mezuzahs (a Jewish prayer in a small case) were removed from the door frames of Jewish residents during the night. The residents are very upset about this targeting and this gross violation of private space and Charter rights," Pasternak told CP24, praising the "prompt response and investigation" by law enforcement. He asserted, "This hate-motivated crime is a by product of the antisemitism and incitement that is going on in our city and the lack of universal condemnation about the mobs that have taken over the streets over the past two years."
In an interview with CP24, Pasternak explained that the items were "pried off" late Saturday. He noted the residents are largely elderly Russian speakers who "(They) always felt that their building was welcoming and safe. They chose that building because of its community." He added, "It is a wonderful, primarily Russian-speaking Jewish community, and they've always lived their lives openly, celebrated their religion, and their history. And so, this is a major shock that someone would go through the night ripping off or tearing off these mezuzahs, and they were fixed very strongly so it's not an easy task to pry off."
Mayor Olivia Chow denounced the events as an "outrageous and vile act of antisemitism." She stated, "This is a public supportive housing building for seniors. They deserve to live in peace without fear of being targeted for being Jewish," and added, "Jewish Torontonians deserve to live in peace and safety. Thank you Councillor Pasternak for connecting residents to the police who are investigating."
Canada has become an incredibly dangerous country for Jews — one of the most dangerous in the western world. In this latest incident, all the mezuzahs at a large senior citizens living complex in Toronto were ripped off. Absolutely disgusting. https://t.co/XYPjyzm0yb
— Casey Babb (@DrCaseyBabb) December 8, 2025
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) told CP24 that a mezuzah "isn't just an object – for us, it's a reminder of our faith, heritage, and identity." They noted the scrolls "provide a sense of comfort and spiritual protection." The group added, "And yet the seniors at a building in North York were targeted in a place where they should've felt the safest. We've seen hateful conduct go from shouting in the streets to targeting Jews outside our homes to now in the hallways of our own buildings," concluding, "The time for words is over. Our political leaders - at all levels - must take action to protect the community."
