Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Mark Carney warned that Canada’s “civic compact” is failing Jewish Canadians, citing a surge in antisemitic incidents.
- He announced a new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion, chaired by former Senator Marc Gold, to combat racism and hate in all forms.
- The council will replace two abolished offices (Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia and Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism) and adopt a “whole‑of‑federal‑government” approach.
- Carney emphasized that the response will not limit legitimate criticism or freedom of expression.
- Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre demanded an apology from the government for allowing antisemitism to rise over the past decade.
Prime Minister Carney’s Speech at Holy Blossom Temple
Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a major address on Monday at Toronto’s Holy Blossom Temple, framing antisemitism as a national crisis. He declared that “Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians,” warning that when the compact fails for any community it fails the whole nation. Carney’s remarks came amid mounting pressure for stronger federal action to protect Jewish communities across the country.
Evidence of Rising Antisemitism
Carney pointed to stark statistics to substantiate his claim. Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith Canada recorded over 6,800 antisemitic incidents in 2025—the highest number since 1982—and noted that these events accounted for more than two‑thirds of all religiously motivated hate crimes in Canada last year, despite Jews comprising only about one percent of the population. He cited concrete examples such as bullets fired at Jewish schools, firebombs thrown at synagogues, and attacks on community centres and Jewish‑owned businesses.
Announcement of the Ministerial Advisory Council
In response, Carney unveiled the Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion. He said the council would “combat racism and hate in all their forms,” with a particular focus on the current antisemitism crisis. The council’s mandate includes assessing the scope of antisemitism, coordinating a federal response, improving data collection, and measuring the impact of government initiatives.
Leadership and Composition of the Council
The council will be chaired by Identity Minister Marc Miller and led by former Senator Marc Gold, whom Carney praised as “one of Canada’s most collaborative, effective and principled voices on the scourge of antisemitism.” Gold was appointed to the Senate by former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in 2016, served as government leader in the Senate from 2020, and retired from the upper chamber last year. His extensive experience in parliamentary affairs and human rights advocacy positions him to guide the council’s work.
Replacing Previous Offices
The new council will replace two offices that the government abolished in February: the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia (previously held by Amira Elghawaby) and the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism (vacant since Deborah Lyons resigned in 2025). By merging these functions into a single advisory body, the government aims to streamline efforts and avoid duplication while maintaining a broad focus on all forms of hate.
Whole‑of‑Federal‑Government Approach
Carney stressed that the council will adopt a “whole‑of‑federal‑government” approach, ensuring that departments and agencies coordinate their actions against hate. The council will improve research methodologies, enhance the collection and analysis of hate‑crime data, and evaluate the effectiveness of policies and programs. Crucially, Carney asserted that these measures will not constitute “curtailments of freedom of expression” and will not constrain legitimate criticism of any government or subject.
Commitment to Protecting Free Speech
Reiterating his commitment to civil liberties, Carney clarified that the government’s actions target hate‑motivated violence and discrimination, not peaceful dissent. He stated, “They are not constraints on legitimate criticism of any government on any subject anywhere.” This distinction seeks to balance robust anti‑hate initiatives with the protection of expressive rights enshrined in Canadian law.
Opposition Reaction and Call for Apology
Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre responded swiftly, demanding that Carney offer “a big apology” to the Jewish community for the violence, terror, and fear that, in his view, the Liberal government has allowed to fester over the past decade. Poilievre’s critique underscores the political tension surrounding the issue and highlights divergent perspectives on responsibility and remediation.
Closing Vision for an Inclusive Canada
Concluding his speech, Carney invoked Canada’s historic struggles against injustice, urging the nation to learn from past mistakes and act decisively now. He envisioned a Canada where Jewish Canadians can be “visibly, fully, joyfully Jewish in public life,” and where differences are nurtured rather than merely managed. By framing the fight against antisemitism as integral to Canada’s pluralistic identity, Carney sought to rally broad societal support for the new council and its mandate.