Taking Action to Combat Antisemitism
I believe that it is vital for all of us in leadership roles to take a clear and unequivocal stand against accepting hatred and antisemitism on our streets and in our neighbourhoods as the new normal. The continued rise of antisemitism in our city continues to be unacceptable and alarming, and is leaving many in the Jewish community feeling understandably afraid and vulnerable. The past weeks have seen schools and places of worship attacked, the vandalism of Jewish businesses, and graffiti and signs showing swastikas and hateful antisemitic tropes.
Last month at City Council, I moved a motion to develop a new action plan to protect targeted religious minorities and places of culture and worship from antisemitism and hate. The motion requested that the City Manager, the City Solicitor, the Toronto Police Service and other relevant divisions work together to ensure individuals and groups committing hate crimes are stopped. Please click here to see my earlier statements regarding my motion and why its important to use the existing laws we have more effectively.
I am pleased to announce that, as a result of my motion last month, staff have taken action on several initiatives aimed at combatting hate. The City of Toronto’s Emergency Management division has begun weekly meetings with the Toronto Police as well as other relevant divisions and agencies to discuss their emergency responses. Additionally, the Emergency Management division has begun providing staff liaisons to the Police’s Major Incident Command Centre in response to hate activities and incidents.
The Police and city staff have also begun new initiatives specifically aimed at improving community safety around places of worship and cultural gathering spaces. A working group including members of the Police, Fire, Paramedics and City Staff has been created to study the risk of, and provide security from, potential vehicle-based attacks. Further, Toronto Police have confirmed that they have increased patrols in Jewish communities and expanded their visible presence at vulnerable places of worship across the city. Toronto city staff have been conducting engagement with communities most impacted by violence and have been providing relevant information both to the Toronto Police and the Community Crisis Response Program.
I am pleased to see that staff and the police have begun taking a more collaborative and proactive approach that recognizes the urgency and importance of this issue. I will continue meeting with senior City Officials, the Chief of Police and Jewish community leaders to ensure that our concerns are addressed.
