In a blistering final assessment before leaving her post, Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism has called out the country’s business and religious leaders for their inadequate response to surging antisemitism following the October 7th Hamas attack on Israel.
Deborah Lyons, appointed to the role in 2023, expressed profound disappointment during her address at the National Summit on Antisemitism in Ottawa yesterday. “Where are our titans of industry and commerce? Where are our religious leaders of all faiths standing together?” Lyons questioned, her voice carrying unmistakable frustration as she addressed the gathered officials and community representatives.
The envoy’s criticism comes amid troubling statistics showing antisemitic incidents in Canada have skyrocketed by over 300 percent since October 2023. Jewish communities across the country have reported unprecedented levels of harassment, vandalism, and threats, creating what Lyons described as “a climate of fear” for many Canadian Jews.
“When I see members of the Jewish community afraid to walk on certain university campuses, hesitant to wear religious symbols in public, or requiring security guards at their places of worship, I must ask – is this truly the Canada we want?” Lyons remarked during her keynote address at the CO24 News summit.
Her comments specifically targeted corporate and faith leaders who have remained largely silent despite escalating tensions. While government officials and some civil society organizations have condemned antisemitism, Lyons pointed to a conspicuous absence of unified, vocal opposition from Canada’s business community and interfaith leadership.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who attended the summit, acknowledged the government’s responsibility but emphasized the need for broader societal engagement. “Combating hatred requires all segments of society to stand together,” Trudeau stated, echoing Lyons’ call for more widespread leadership on the issue.
Jewish community leaders welcomed Lyons’ candid assessment. Michael Levitt, president of Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, told CO24 Politics, “Her words reflect what many in our community have felt – that there’s been a deafening silence from too many influential Canadians who could make a difference in this fight.”
The summit itself revealed concerning patterns across Canada News, with antisemitic incidents reported in every province. Major urban centers like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver have seen particularly sharp increases in hate crimes targeting Jewish institutions and individuals.
Experts point to polarization around the Israel-Hamas conflict as a catalyst, but emphasize that legitimate political discourse must be distinguished from hatred toward Jewish Canadians. Dr. Karen Mock, a human rights consultant present at the summit, explained: “Criticism of Israeli government policies is not inherently antisemitic, but when it crosses into demonizing all Jews or denying Israel’s right to exist, it becomes problematic.”
As Lyons prepares to conclude her tenure, questions remain about the lasting impact of her work and who will succeed her in this critical role. The federal government has yet to announce a replacement but confirmed the position will continue given the ongoing challenges.
The envoy’s parting challenge to Canadian leadership raises an uncomfortable but essential question for our society: In a country that prides itself on diversity and inclusion, why have so many influential voices remained silent in the face of rising antisemitism, and what responsibility do we all bear in ensuring hate has no home in Canada?
