Carney vows "decisive action" as Canada launches council to combact antisemitism

The newly created Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion has been tasked with examining the scale and causes of antisemitism, improving hate-crime data collection, coordinating a government-wide response and assessing the effectiveness of federal anti-hate measures.

The announcement comes amid growing concern over antisemitism in Canada. According to the government, more than two-thirds of religion-motivated hate crimes recorded last year targeted Jewish Canadians, despite Jews accounting for about 1 per cent of the country's population.

Speaking at the launch, Carney said the government was taking "decisive action" to ensure Jewish Canadians can live safely and participate fully in public life.

"The protection of citizens is the most fundamental responsibility of government," Carney said, adding that no community should be "driven from our shared public institutions by hatred."

The council will be chaired by the Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and includes prominent figures such as Marc Gold, Martine Roy, Catriona Le May Doan, Omar Alghabra, Gary LaPlante, Aftab Erfan and Avnish Nanda.

Carney said the council's initial focus would be antisemitism across public institutions, workplaces, university campuses and online platforms. It will also seek to strengthen coordination among governments, schools and law-enforcement agencies through improved data-sharing systems.

The move forms part of a broader package of measures introduced by Carney's government over the past year. Officials said six pieces of legislation aimed at strengthening public safety and combating hate have been introduced, including Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, which creates new criminal offences related to intimidation and obstruction at places of worship, schools and community centres.

The government has also expanded funding for security measures at faith-based institutions. In its Spring Economic Update, Ottawa committed an additional $75 million to the Canada Community Security Program, which helps vulnerable communities improve security infrastructure, training and personnel.

In a speech accompanying the announcement, Carney argued that Canada's multicultural model was being tested by rising antisemitism, citing attacks on Jewish schools, synagogues, businesses and community institutions.

"The horror and shame are global. Our actions must be local," he said, while stressing that criticism of governments, including Israel's, must remain distinct from hatred directed at Jewish people.

The prime minister said combating antisemitism would require more than policing and legislation, describing it as a broader effort to reinforce Canada's commitment to pluralism and equal citizenship.

The announcement comes as governments across North America and Europe grapple with a rise in antisemitic incidents following heightened geopolitical tensions and conflicts abroad. Canadian officials said the new council would help ensure federal policies and public institutions remain aligned in protecting communities targeted by hate.