Concern about rising antisemitism and security precautions were topics on the table when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with representatives from the Jewish community of Winnipeg on Aug. 29.
The meeting, which was organized by Winnipeg South Centre MP Ben Carr, was attended by a dozen others.
“It was a chance for leaders and grassroots members to express how they are feeling, while also providing meaningful ways in which bridges can be built together to address the rise in antisemitism,” Carr said.
The prime minister was in Winnipeg ahead of the Sept. 16 federal byelection in the Elmwood-Transcona riding, where he made an appearance with Liberal candidate Ian MacIntyre.
The byelection was triggered by NDP MP Daniel Blaikie joining provincial politics earlier this year after serving federally since 2015—following in the footsteps of his father Bill Blaikie, who was an NDP MP from 1979 to 2008. (Leila Dance is the NDP candidate in this byelection.)
Carr’s goal in arranging the meeting was to give Trudeau an opportunity to “hear the perspectives of the community in regards to how they are feeling these days, given what is happening in the world and in our own backyard. The goal was to give him a deeper understanding of their encounters with hate, and how the government can be a partner during this time when many are fearful and anxious.
“When I suggested he carve out some time when he was in Winnipeg to meet with representatives of the Jewish community, he did not hesitate to say that he would.”
Jeff Lieberman, CEO of the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg, appreciated the opportunity.
“We discussed the rise in antisemitism after Oct. 7,” he said, adding “it’s always been there but, after that date, it seems fashionable to be antisemitic. It has created real safety concerns for the Jewish community.
“Many members of the Jewish community in Winnipeg are afraid to publicly identify as Jews.”
Lieberman said he told told the prime minister this “is not the Canada I grew up in, a Canada where we all seemed to get along. Antisemitism was always there, but not as bad as it is now.”
Gustavo Zentner, vice-president for Manitoba and Saskatchewan for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said it was clear the prime minister “was concerned about the kind of Canada we are living in today, with so much unrest, discrimination and hate.”
It was also clear to Zentner that Trudeau understands the feelings aren’t exclusive to one minority group, and CIJA’s position is that it should not come at the expense of other communities.
“We told him we acknowledge that navigating the competing and, at times, conflicting demands related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas has not been easy for the Government of Canada,” said Zentner.
Belle Jarniewski, executive director of the Jewish Heritage Centre of Western Canada, found the meeting with Trudeau to be positive.
“I was impressed by his responses. He seemed to understand the complexity of the situation, and what our community is going through at this difficult moment in time,” she said. “Our community, which once felt safe, no longer feels safe. He seemed to understand that.”
Among the specific asks to the PM at the meeting was the need for funding to hire security guards and off-duty police for special events and the High Holidays; the enforcement of existing anti-hate-speech laws and expansion of those laws; mandated anti-hate and antisemitism training for education programs at Canadian universities; and a federal mechanism for monitoring and reporting incidents.
Carr was glad Trudeau had a chance to hear from Winnipeg’s Jewish community, “I recognize the very real hurt and anxiety felt by members of the Palestinian and Muslim communities in Winnipeg, too,” he said.
“I hope we can soon bring everyone together as we heal. Now is the time for Jews, Muslims, and all Winnipeggers to work towards the critical task of repairing relationships, reaching out to build bridges, and setting forward a path to peace in our community.”