OTTAWA — Families of Canadians killed by Hamas in Israel two years ago are expressing frustration over Prime Minister Mark Carney's lack of communication with them since he took office. The Association of Families of the Canadian Victims of October 7th publicly voiced their concerns on the second anniversary of the attacks earlier this month. In an open letter to Carney, the group noted that he has not met with victims' families, unlike leaders from the U.S., France, and the U.K.

Iris Weinstein Haggai, whose parents were killed in the October 7, 2023, attack, stated, "He ignored every message and every letter that we sent him. It was just very, very frustrating to understand that my prime minister in Canada doesn’t understand the nightmare I’m in."

The families highlighted that former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with any relative of a victim who requested a meeting, while Carney has yet to reach out to express condolences. The group reported that they only began receiving responses from Carney’s office after inquiries were made regarding their criticism.

On Tuesday, the Prime Minister’s Office issued a statement acknowledging the Canadians who were killed in the attacks. Communications director Jane Deeks wrote, "The prime minister wants to meet with the families as soon as possible, and his office is currently working to find a date that will be convenient for everyone."

Weinstein Haggai's mother, Judih, was the only Canadian taken hostage by Hamas during the attack. Judih held Canadian, Israeli, and American citizenship, having been born in New York and moving to Toronto at age three. She later relocated to Israel, where she lived for about 50 years. Israeli officials indicated in late December 2023 that they believed her to be dead, and the Israeli military announced in June that her body had been recovered.

Weinstein Haggai expressed her disappointment, saying, "My mother was the only Canadian hostage. And I know my mother was murdered and she wasn’t alive, but she was still a hostage. Our lives were still held hostage, because we didn’t have certainty. We didn’t have the ability to mourn."

The association has criticized the Carney government for not mentioning hostages in the prime minister’s communications with key players, including Qatar. They are also advocating for prosecutions of Iranian officials who have supported Hamas. In their open letter, they stated, "In the 207 days since you assumed office, you have not reached out to any of the families of Canadian victims, Canadians murdered in the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust."

The group is calling for targeted sanctions on Hamas leaders that extend beyond the current terrorist designation. Weinstein Haggai noted that Carney has been more difficult to reach than Trudeau, who hosted multiple victims’ families in Ottawa in March 2024. Since that meeting, Weinstein Haggai has maintained regular communication with Mélanie Joly, who has been responsive and supportive.

Jacqui Rivers Vital, whose daughter was also killed in the attacks, has been actively seeking a meeting with Carney. She has reached out through various officials, including Joly and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand. During a virtual panel event, Rivers Vital urged Carney to consider the plight of Canadians killed and tortured by Hamas, particularly in light of his decision to recognize a future Palestinian state.

Rivers Vital stated, "We have a shameful leader that decided to recognize the Palestinian state while we still had our hostages in the dungeons. And while Hamas is still very much in power."

Many families feel that the Canadian government does not fully acknowledge their relatives as Canadian citizens, especially those who primarily lived in Israel. Weinstein Haggai emphasized her mother’s contributions to Canadian values, noting her work in education and community service.

Weinstein Haggai reflected on her mother’s legacy, saying, "My parents chose to live side by side with Gaza. They believed that peace is possible."

As the situation evolves, families continue to seek recognition and support from the Canadian government, hoping for a meeting with Carney to address their concerns and grief.