A Liberal Member of Parliament has called for action against rising antisemitism in Canada, following a recent attack on a Jewish woman in Ottawa. Anthony Housefather, who represents Mount Royal in Quebec, issued a statement co-signed by 31 fellow Liberal MPs, emphasizing that Jewish Canadians deserve the same sense of safety as all Canadians.

In his statement, Housefather expressed concern over the growing unease among Jewish Canadians. He noted, "Regrettably, right now, there is a deep sense of unease, fear and unsafety among many Jewish Canadians across Canada." He referenced Statistics Canada data indicating that, although Jews make up only one percent of the population, they are victims of 70 percent of reported religious-based hate crimes. In 2023, there were 1,284 hate crimes targeting religious groups, with 900 of those directed at Jewish individuals, marking a 71 percent increase from the previous year.

Housefather pointed out that antisemitic attacks, once considered rare, are becoming more common. He stated, "Antisemitism is becoming normalized" in light of recent conflicts involving Hamas and Israel. He condemned actions that target Jewish communities and hold them accountable for events occurring in the Middle East, calling such behavior "wrong, unacceptable and antisemitic."

The recent surge in hate has impacted various sectors, including synagogues, schools, and businesses. A notable incident occurred at a Loblaws grocery store in Ottawa, where a woman in her 70s was allegedly stabbed by 71-year-old Joe Rooke, who has a history of making antisemitic remarks. Rooke has been charged with aggravated assault and possession of a dangerous weapon, and authorities are treating the incident as a hate-motivated crime. Housefather remarked, "Three years ago, such an incident would have been shocking. Today, much less so."

The attack has drawn condemnation from Jewish organizations and political leaders, including Prime Minister Mark Carney. He expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, stating, "We stand with you against hate and threats to your safety, and we will act to confront antisemitism wherever it appears."

Housefather and his colleagues support proposed legislation by Carney aimed at criminalizing unlawful fear and intimidation near places of worship, schools, and community centers. Among the co-signers of Housefather's statement were several new MPs, including Evan Solomon, Bruce Fanjoy, and Vince Gasparro, as well as former Liberal leadership candidate Karina Gould and current House Speaker Greg Fergus.

Notably, most of the signatories were from Ontario or Quebec, raising questions about the broader Liberal response to antisemitism. Michael Geist, a law professor, questioned why the majority of Liberal MPs did not sign the letter, suggesting that the fight against antisemitism may be influenced by constituency demographics. Former Conservative Senator Linda Frum echoed this sentiment, highlighting that 137 Liberal MPs did not sign the letter.

According to the 2021 census, nearly half of Canada's Jewish population resides in the Toronto area, with another quarter in Montreal, and smaller communities in Vancouver, Ottawa, Winnipeg, and Calgary.