In a case that has sent shockwaves through Ottawa’s legal and Jewish communities, a former City of Ottawa lawyer has pleaded guilty to defacing the National Holocaust Monument in a disturbing act of vandalism that occurred earlier this spring.
David Lambert, 47, who previously served as a municipal legal advisor, admitted to spray-painting anti-Semitic symbols and slurs on the monument during a late-night incident on April 12, 2025. Security cameras captured Lambert approaching the monument at approximately 2:30 a.m., dressed in dark clothing and carrying a backpack containing spray paint cans and other materials.
“This act represents not just criminal vandalism, but a deep wound to Holocaust survivors and their families,” said Federal Heritage Minister Samantha Wilson during a press conference following the court proceedings. “The National Holocaust Monument stands as a solemn reminder of one of history’s darkest chapters—to see it defaced in this manner is profoundly disturbing.”
Lambert had been employed by the City of Ottawa’s legal department for over a decade before his resignation in January 2025, citing personal reasons. Court documents revealed that investigators discovered extensive online activity linking Lambert to various extremist forums in the months preceding the incident.
Rabbi Daniel Goldstein of Ottawa’s Congregation Beth Shalom described the community’s reaction as one of “profound disappointment and concern.”
“When someone from our professional class—especially someone entrusted with upholding our laws—commits such an act, it forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the persistence of anti-Semitism in Canadian society,” Rabbi Goldstein stated.
The National Holocaust Monument, unveiled in 2017 near the Canadian War Museum, serves as Canada’s principal memorial to the six million Jewish people and millions of other victims murdered during the Holocaust. The monument’s angular concrete structure, designed to evoke a Star of David when viewed from above, required extensive cleaning and restoration following the vandalism.
According to court records, Lambert’s defense team indicated he had been experiencing significant mental health challenges, though Justice Patricia Morin made it clear during proceedings that this would not excuse his actions.
“Mental health struggles may help explain behavior, but they do not justify targeted hate,” Justice Morin stated during the hearing.
The case has prompted renewed calls for enhanced security at national monuments and stronger hate crime legislation. The Canadian Anti-Hate Network reported a 37% increase in anti-Semitic incidents across Canada in the past year, with monument defacement representing a particularly troubling trend.
Ottawa Police Chief Thomas Blackwell confirmed that security protocols around all national monuments are being reviewed. “We’re implementing additional surveillance and patrol measures, particularly during overnight hours when such vandalism typically occurs,” Blackwell explained.
Lambert faces sentencing next month, with prosecutors seeking a term of imprisonment and substantial community service specifically within Jewish community organizations. Legal experts suggest the case may establish important precedents for how Canada’s justice system addresses hate-motivated vandalism targeting cultural and historical memorials.
As Canada grapples with this disturbing incident, many are left wondering: In a nation that prides itself on tolerance and multiculturalism, how can we more effectively combat the persistent undercurrents of hatred that continue to manifest in such shocking ways?
