‘Canada at a crossroads’: Jewish groups call for action after 3 synagogues hit by gunfire

The leaders of several Jewish organizations in the Toronto area are calling for urgent action after three synagogues were hit by gunfire in the past week.

“Canada is at a crossroads,” said Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). “We’re not going anywhere, and we need every Canadian of conscience to stand up with us for our fundamental Canadian values so that we can ensure that the Canada, the Ontario, and the city of Toronto that we want to see in the future comes to fruition.”

Shack’s words come after police responded to three separate incidents of shots fired at synagogues this week, two of which happened this weekend.

York Regional Police said they responded at about 11:49 p.m. Friday to reports of shots fired near Clark Avenue and York Hill Boulevard in Thornhill, Ont., the location of the BAYT Synagogue. No injuries were reported, but police said the building sustained some damage.

A short time later, Toronto police said they were investigating a firearm discharge reported shortly after midnight near Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue, the location of the Shaarei Shomayim Congregation.

Police responded to reports of gunshots at about 12:08 a.m. Saturday and found bullet holes in the front door. No injuries were reported.

Toronto police were also called to Temple Emanu-El Synagogue in North York on Monday evening at about 10:50 p.m.

Officials said the building was damaged, but again no injuries were reported. Toronto police did not offer a suspect description.

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Speaking at a news conference on Sunday alongside Shack, police officials, and politicians of all levels of government, federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree promised action.

He said the government would work strengthen laws to ensure hate is “punished” and “those who espouse hate are held to account.” He also said they’d change requirements for infrastructure funding that are “critically important” for Jewish and other community buildings.

“This is unacceptable, this is the third synagogue within the last week to be targeted,” Anandasangaree said. “The forms of anti-Semitism we see that’s turning into violence is not the Canadian way. We will not tolerate this and this has to stop.”

Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kirzner stressed he will push to get Bill 75, known as the “Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act,” through the legislature. The bill has been touted by the Ford government to tighten bail requirements and “hold offenders accountable.”

Kirzner, who is Jewish, told reporters on Sunday that the incidents at the three synagogues “breaks my heart.”

“A threshold of decency has been crossed,” he said. “A threshold that goes to the vibrancy of Canadian values, of tolerance, of friendship, and of decency has been crossed.”

Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw spoke about the ongoing investigation, saying its integrated gun and gang task force was working alongside other specialized teams on the probe.

He urged anyone with information, video or “any snippet” to contact police or Crime Stoppers.

“This violence must stop,” Demkiw said. “We are going to be relentless and leave no stone unturned and every resource necessary will be brought to bear to continue to advance all of our efforts. We will follow the evidence and we will do everything within our powers to hold those responsible accountable.”

The chief said as it’s a very active file, there is no information at this time as to whether the three incidents were connected or if any suspects have been identified. However, he said when information is available it will be provided.

He added police would also continue increased patrols and visits throughout the community, including at the synagogues that were struck.

York Regional Police acting chief Kevin McCloskey added there’s no evidence to suggest the incidents are related or perpetrated by the same people.

“But again, as Chief Demkiw said, we can’t ignore the fact that they happened so close to each other and that both targets were in fact synagogues,” McCloskey said. “Obviously we are looking at that connection and hope to be able to determine whether they are or are not related as soon as possible.”

Asked what is being called for by Jewish organizations, Shack said he’d like governments to consider various actions.

“Building up the security infrastructure to keep people safe is just the bare minimum threshold that we need to meet,” Shack said. “There is a need for focused initiatives to push back against the kind of hate and intimidation, harassment and violence that we’re experience that go beyond just physical security.”

—with files from Global News’ Prisha Dev and Isaac Callan

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