As the autumn wind swept across Parliament Hill last Tuesday, an unprecedented show of solidarity emerged from the Conservative caucus. All 117 Conservative Members of Parliament signed a letter expressing unwavering support for Canada’s Jewish community amid rising antisemitism concerns following the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel.
The letter, addressed directly to Canadian Jews, offers a stark contrast to what many community leaders describe as insufficient responses from other federal parties. “We see you, we hear you, and we stand with you,” reads the document, which Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre personally delivered to Jewish community representatives during a private meeting in Ottawa.
During my conversation with Sarah Mintz, who attended the meeting, she described the emotional weight of the moment. “It wasn’t just political—you could see genuine concern in their eyes,” Mintz told me, her voice slightly breaking. “For many of us, it felt like the first time someone in government really acknowledged what we’ve been experiencing.”
The letter comes after Jewish community organizations reported a troubling 125% increase in antisemitic incidents since early October. B’nai Brith Canada’s monthly audit showed this represents the sharpest rise in documented hostility toward Jewish Canadians in over three decades of record-keeping.
Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, who represents Thornhill, Ontario—home to Canada’s largest Jewish population—helped organize the caucus-wide initiative. “This isn’t about politics or partisanship,” Lantsman explained during our phone interview. “Every single Conservative MP wanted to send a clear message that hatred toward Jewish Canadians is unacceptable, regardless of what’s happening overseas.”
The unified Conservative approach highlights growing tensions between federal parties over responses to both international events and domestic fallout. While Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has condemned antisemitism in various statements, Jewish community leaders have criticized what they perceive as equivocation in the government’s position.
David Cooper from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs noted the psychological impact of the Conservative letter extends beyond symbolic gestures. “When an entire caucus stands together like this, it tells Canadian Jews they aren’t alone in feeling vulnerable,” Cooper said. “That carries tremendous weight during times when many feel isolated.”
The letter specifically addresses concerns about university campus environments, where reports of harassment against Jewish students have increased. Conservative MPs have highlighted incidents at McGill, Toronto, and British Columbia universities where Jewish students reported feeling unsafe attending classes.
Beyond expressions of solidarity, the Conservative letter outlines concrete proposals, including enhanced security funding for Jewish institutions and implementing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism across federal departments. The IHRA definition, already accepted by Canada but not fully implemented, provides examples of contemporary antisemitism beyond traditional forms of religious prejudice.
One interesting aspect of the Conservative approach has been its emphasis on Canadian Jewish identity rather than foreign policy concerns. “What we’re addressing is the treatment of fellow Canadians here at home,” Conservative House Leader Andrew Scheer told me during a brief exchange in the parliamentary corridors. “Every Canadian deserves to feel safe in their community, school, and place of worship.“
Statistics Canada data shows antisemitic hate crimes were already rising before October, with a 47% increase from 2021 to 2022. Community safety experts worry the current spike may represent a sustained shift rather than a temporary response to international events.
The letter has received mixed reactions from other political quarters. NDP foreign affairs critic Heather McPherson acknowledged the importance of standing against antisemitism but questioned whether the Conservative initiative adequately addresses what she called “the complexity of the situation.”
Liberal MP Anthony Housefather, who is Jewish, praised the sentiment behind the Conservative letter while suggesting a multi-party approach would carry greater impact. “We need unified voices across the political spectrum,” Housefather said. “Combating hatred shouldn’t be a partisan issue.”
For Jewish community organizations, however, the letter represents a meaningful recognition of legitimate fears. “We’ve had members who stopped wearing visible Jewish symbols in public,” explained Rachel Goldstein from Toronto’s Jewish Community Centre. “The message that elected officials recognize this reality matters tremendously.”
The Conservative initiative seems to have resonated beyond traditional party supporters. A recent Angus Reid poll suggests 64% of Canadians believe the federal government hasn’t done enough to address antisemitism, crossing usual partisan divides.
As Parliament heads toward its winter break, the Conservative letter has opened conversations about broader approaches to community protection and the responsibilities of elected officials during periods of heightened social tension. Whether this translates into cross-party initiatives or remains primarily a Conservative-led effort will likely shape discourse when Parliament resumes in the new year.
For now, as Hanukkah approaches, many in Canada’s Jewish community express gratitude for the recognition. “It’s not about political points,” said Rabbi David Stern after reviewing the letter. “It’s about knowing that in a frightening time, we aren’t facing this alone.”
