Feds will fight alarming rise in hate crimes: Trudeau

The federal government will continue rejecting and fighting antisemitism in all its forms as hate-motivated crimes against the Jewish community rise in Canada and around the world, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Wednesday.

Speaking to a national antisemitism summit hosted by the federal government, Trudeau said the spike in hate crimes is troubling and alarming.

“Antisemitism isn’t a problem for the Jewish community to solve alone, it’s up to everyone to take on this challenge,” he said.

Trudeau’s government announced Wednesday that 150 projects representing over $6 million in funding have been recommended for development under a program to support communities that face the risks of hate crimes.

“This is the largest investment for a given year in the history of the program, and it will enhance the security of many synagogues, Jewish schools and community institutions,” Trudeau said.

He said the implications of the recent Israeli-Palestinian conflict resonated around the world with an unacceptable rise in antisemitism. “We remain committed to supporting progress toward a two-state solution. We continue to oppose unilateral actions that jeopardize the prospects for peace,” he said. “We will stand firmly with the Israeli and Palestinian peoples in their right to live in peace and security, and with their human rights respected. Canada stands firm in its support for Israel’s right to live in peace with its neighbours within secure boundaries, and for Israel’s right to defend itself.”