Canadian politicians react to terrorist attack in Australia, GTA police forces stepping up patrols at synagogues

Police forces across the GTA say residents can expect an increased presence in and around synagogues and community centres in the aftermath of the terrorist attack against Jewish citizens at a Hanukkah celebration in Australia on Sunday.

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw said there will be an increased presence in the Jewish community at schools, places of worship, and events as part of a proactive approach throughout the holidays.

“We stand against hate and terrorism. While there is no nexus to Toronto, the @TorontoPolice have deployed a whole-of-service approach to increase police presence and visibility to Toronto’s Jewish communities,” he said in a social media post.

Police in York Region echoed those comments, saying they are in constant contact with federal and provincial partners to actively identify any potential threats.

“We understand the incidents of hate crime occurring outside our jurisdiction have been unsettling; we will continue to monitor and respond to any potential threats,” they said. “(We) will not tolerate any form of hate crime or the threat of violence against anyone. All reports of hate crime or hate/bias incidents will be investigated thoroughly.”

Peel Regional Police say they acknowledge the concern the Australia attack may have in local communities, adding that every person deserves to feel safe, valued, and supported. “No exceptions.”

“At this time, there are no known related threats, but we remain vigilant and are monitoring the situation closely.”

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs says it is in continuous contact with the federal government and law enforcement officials at the provincial and municipal levels to ensure steps are being taken to keep their communities safe.

“From the United Kingdom to the United States and now Australia, we have seen the deadly consequences of calls to ‘globalize the Intifada’ and the rise of violent antisemitic extremism. Canada is not immune. Canadians must wake up to this reality – we need urgent action from governments and law enforcement to keep all of us safe,” CIJA CEO Noah Shack said in a statement Sunday morning.

The National Council of Canadian Muslims expressed horror at the Bondi Beach shooting while extending their support for the Jewish community.

“We are horrified by the shooting today at Bondi Beach, taking the lives of 11 innocent souls. To the Canadian Jewish community, know that like the Muslim grocer in Australia who reportedly intervened to take down the gunman in this horrifying terrorist attack, we stand with you against hate, anti-Semitism, and in mourning,” they said in a statement.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said the city stands with the Jewish community, especially as they prepare to celebrate the festival of Hanukkah.

“To Toronto’s Jewish community: I know the fear you feel is real, while celebrating your faith, gathering with loved ones or simply being visible. You deserve to live freely, openly and safely in our city. We condemn antisemitism in the strongest possible terms and must confront it wherever it exists,” Chow said in a statement.

Ontario Premier Doug Ford expressed similar solidarity with the Jewish community.

“As we come together in support of our Jewish friends and neighbours to grieve this terrible attack, we must all stand with our Jewish community against hate and antisemitism wherever it is found,” said Ford. “I am praying for the victims and their loved ones, and that all those responsible for this attack are swiftly brought to justice.”

Prime Minister Mark Carney joined the chorus of international leaders in condemning the attack.

“Canada stands with the people of Australia and Jewish people everywhere in sorrow, and determination never to bow to terrorism, violence, hatred and intimidation,” said Carney.

“Hanukkah is a time of light amidst the darkness, and a remembrance of the resilience of the Jewish people. May we all support and strengthen that resilience to protect our Jewish communities and to ensure more fundamentally that all people can thrive in every aspect of our society.”

Hanukkah celebrations will continue as planned

Jewish community advocates say they’ve seen an increase in hate in Toronto at a “horrifying pace,” and they’re worried something similar could happen here.

“We’ve had one synagogue on Bayview that has been vandalized with hateful language 10 times in the last year. We’ve had Jewish girls’ school in Toronto shot at three times this year,” said Sara Lefton with the UJA Federation.

“This is very real for us, and when we see hateful words turn into hateful actions, like what we’ve just seen in Sydney, Australia, the Jewish community in Toronto knows that we’re not far behind.”

Lefton adds it’s not only important to recognize what’s happened in Sydney but also to recognize that it’s not limited to Sydney until the broader Canadian society says it will not be tolerated here.

“This is not just about the Jewish community. This is about us, as Canadians, being able to celebrate our holidays and live religiously in a free way in our country, as every Canadian is entitled to do without being intimidated or scared.”

The rabbi of a Toronto synagogue says Hanukkah celebrations will continue as planned on Sunday in the wake of a deadly mass shooting in Australia. 

Levi Gansburg, the rabbi at Chabad on Bayview, says his synagogue will “choose light over darkness” and move forward with its planned Hannukah celebrations this week despite the devastation abroad. 

Gansburg says he was in a state of shock and mourning when he first heard the news of the shooting.

That shock was numbed, however, by a spate of antisemitic attacks and vandalism across the GTA since Oct. 7, 2023. Gansburg says a synagogue down the road from him — the Kehillat Shaarei Torah synagogue — has been vandalized 10 times, and his daughter’s school was shot at three times last year. 

Gansburg says he spent the morning on the phone with Toronto police requesting added measures to ensure the community’s safety.

Files from The Canadian Press were used in this report