The second anniversary of the October 7 massacre, which is considered the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust and the worst terrorist attack since 9/11, is marked with somber reflection. For many Canadian Jews, the day was not only a time of mourning for lost friends and family but also a painful reminder of the surge in antisemitism that followed.

On that day, Hamas terrorists attacked civilians in southern Israel, leading to horrific violence. In Canada, however, protests erupted in cities like Vancouver and Montreal, where some demonstrators expressed support for these acts rather than condemning them. Over the months that followed, these protests intensified, often featuring calls for violence against Jews.

The Jewish community in Canada faced a wave of violence, with synagogues, schools, and businesses being vandalized or attacked. Individuals were targeted, and protests were held in neighborhoods with significant Jewish populations. This surge in antisemitism was not merely a fringe movement; it was bolstered by a growing anti-Israel sentiment in Canadian academia. Many professors openly supported Palestinian resistance and encouraged student protests against Israel.

A report indicated that a significant number of professors at the University of Toronto supported an anti-Israel encampment on campus, with some actively participating in demonstrations. As antisemitic incidents increased, the response from the Canadian government was criticized for being inadequate.

Former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced backlash for his handling of the situation. While he acknowledged the rise in antisemitism, he often paired his comments with references to Islamophobia, suggesting an equivalence between the two. This approach drew criticism, especially given that Statistics Canada reported that Jews were victims of 70 percent of all religiously motivated hate crimes in 2023, despite making up only about one percent of the population. In contrast, Muslims, who represent approximately 4.5 percent of the population, accounted for 16 percent of such crimes.

The shifting demographics in Canada, particularly the increase in immigration from regions with high antisemitism, have also been cited as a factor in the government's response. Between 2015 and 2024, the number of permanent residents from the West Bank, Gaza, and Lebanon nearly doubled, raising concerns about the implications for the Jewish community in Canada.

As the anniversary of the October 7 massacre approaches, the Jewish community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the violence and the ongoing rise in antisemitism, while calling for more decisive action from the government to address these issues.