During a recent address at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Prime Minister Carney said his country has failed Jewish Canadians, who are being brutally targeted by hate. All across Canada, he said antisemitism has surged to levels not seen in the post-World War II era.
He also noted that over two-thirds of all religion-motivated hate crimes committed last year were directed at Jewish Canadians, who only make up 1% of the population.
Dr. Charles McVety, who serves on the board of Canada Family Action and as president of Canada Christian College, considers the fact that Carney "has agreed with people condemning Israel as committing genocide and … has stopped weapons from being sold to Israel."
"He's been very silent on the Jewish people in Canada viciously attacked," McVety reports.
In response to surging antisemitism, the prime minister also announced the creation of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion, tasked with studying and combating hate in Canada.
It has, however, faced significant backlash and skepticism, with Jewish advocacy groups and independent media pointing out that out of the seven members, only one is Jewish.
They also argue that the inclusion of Omar Alghabra, a former politician who has stated he "didn't believe that Hamas wants the elimination of Israel," and human rights lawyer Yavar Hameed, who previously represented anti-Israel encampment activists, indicate the panel may fail to address the specific needs of the Jewish community.
Canadian Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre has argued that Alghabra, who previously lobbied to "keep Hezbollah legal" before he got into politics, is the wrong person to lead on combatting antisemitism.
In short, on the same day Carney spoke words defending Jews, he appointed a council to combat antisemitism and put two of, in McVety's words, "the most notorious antisemites in the country" to serve on it.
"So, the fox is guarding the henhouse," he summarizes.
All that aside, McVety says it's "actually wonderful" that the prime minister would go to a noted synagogue and make such supportive expressions and statements.
