Canadian prime minister condemns gunfire attacks at Toronto synagogues

Saturday 07 March 2026 - 21:30

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney condemned a series of gunfire attacks targeting synagogues in the Greater Toronto Area, describing them as "criminal antisemitic assaults" that threaten both public safety and religious freedom.

According to local police, shots were fired shortly after midnight at two synagogues: Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto in Thornhill and Shaarei Shomayim in North York. Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and investigations into the incidents are ongoing. Earlier in the week, another synagogue, Temple Emanu-El, was also targeted.

In a social media post on X, Carney stated that these attacks undermine the rights of Jewish Canadians to live and practice their faith safely and represent a fundamental violation of Canadian values. He emphasized that federal agencies, including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, will use all available resources to support local law enforcement in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators.

The incidents have heightened concerns about antisemitism in Canada, prompting authorities to increase security measures around religious institutions. Experts note that protecting places of worship is critical to maintaining community safety and social cohesion, particularly amid rising reports of hate-motivated crimes.