Montreal Island’s 18-riding federal map might remain comfortably dominated by Liberal red—with Bloc Québecois accents and one NDP orange speck—but the Jewish community is paying particular attention to a race that stands a chance of adding a different shade of blue.
Mount Royal, a diverse urban riding spanning four west-central municipalities, has been Liberal since 1940. But because Conservatives have mounted strong challenges in the past, combined with other cultural shifts, the stronghold risks coming loose in the federal election on April 28.
Currently seeking a fourth term is Anthony Housefather, the former city councillor, mayor, and English rights advocate with deep roots in a riding that previously elected figures like Pierre Trudeau (1965-1984), Sheila Finestone (1984-1999), and Irwin Cotler (1999-2015).
Challenging him on behalf of the Conservatives is Neil Oberman, a lawyer who’s gained prominence helping Jewish students and Montreal institutions impacted by surging anti-Israel activism since the terrorist attacks on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
It’s no secret many Jewish Canadians feel the Liberals have drifted from traditional pro-Israel stances and been too passive in confronting antisemitism, including attacks on synagogues, schools, and students, as well as aggressive, growing anti-Israel, anti-Zionist, and antisemitic rhetoric in protests and online forums.
But even though one-quarter of the Montreal Jewish community lives in this riding—mainly in Côte Saint-Luc and Hampstead—combined with the shared background of two prominent candidates, along with the war and antisemitism as major issues, the race isn’t entirely defined by which of these two will be better for their fellow Jews.
The numbers that favoured Housefather
Mount Royal has some 112,000 residents per 2023 Statistics Canada data, with voting turnout typically over 70 percent. The neighbouring Côte des Neiges–Notre Dame de Grâce includes one of Canada’s most diverse populations—it’s home to many Filipino voters who lean Liberal, and the Town of Mount Royal has a sizeable francophone population.
No other party has gained serious traction recently, apart from a strong third-place finish by the NDP in 2011.
Anthony Housefather won decisively in 2021 with 57.7 percent of votes against Conservative rival Frank Cavallaro, a result that was just slightly better than in 2019 against former Côte Saint-Luc councillor David Tordjman.
Despite coinciding with the defeat of Stephen Harper, the best local showing for the Conservatives came in 2015 thanks to Robert Libman, who served as Côte Saint-Luc mayor, D’Arcy-McGee MNA, and B’nai Brith regional director. He earned 37.9 percent to Housefather’s 50.3 percent, as the Justin Trudeau era dawned in Ottawa.
Housefather and Trudeau welcome Chanukah in Parliament #CoteSaintLuc @AHousefather… https://t.co/8Ekg8VYtqG pic.twitter.com/5RokglfgBd
— Glenn J. Nashen (@GlennJNashen) December 12, 2015
But things also changed in the subsequent decade.
A recent turning point was the March 2024 vote by the Liberal government supporting the NDP motion that included working towards a pathway for Palestinian statehood, ceasing permits on exporting arms to Israel, and agreeing to continue funding UNRWA while calling for an investigation into what role UNRWA workers played in the October 2023 terrorist massacre. Only three of 150 Liberals voted against it—including Housefather, who was visibly shaken by the vote and criticized the process as impeding his parliamentary privilege.
The move hurt Liberal fortunes in heavily Jewish ridings, prompting Housefather to publicly reconsider his future in the party.
Three weeks later, he announced he was staying put. He said his decision was based on multiple factors, notably that the Israel issue, while central to many Jewish constituents’ concerns, had less impact on his other constituencies.
Acknowledging that many wanted him to cross the floor, Housefather told The CJN’s Ellin Bessner in April 2024 that “virtually nobody” who was not Jewish in the riding wanted the same. “I was elected as a Liberal and if I don’t have a real consensus in my riding of people who elected me as a Liberal to do something, I don’t thinkit’s appropriate between elections for me to change party affiliations without clear consensus of my constituents.”
He also said he still feels most aligned with Liberal values and traditional support for minority rights. Housefather was subsequently named as Justin Trudeau’s advisor on the Jewish community and antisemitism. He also told The CJN he feels vindicated in that he has helped move his party back toward the centre.
Grateful to be appointed as Prime Minister’s Special Advisor on Jewish Community Relations and Antisemitism. Jewish Canadians need to feel safe in our communities, on campus and in Canadian life. 1/2 pic.twitter.com/x6CzNbaz8j
— Anthony Housefather (@AHousefather) July 5, 2024
Widely regarded as a responsive MP and well versed on local issues at all levels of government, Housefather has borne a lot of the brunt of dissatisfaction with his party. At his campaign office, located above the Décarie Expressway cutting north-south through the riding, Housefather told The CJN, “at the doors people were telling me they couldn’t vote for me because of the leader.” Many Liberal MPs heard that too. “We all conveyed that message, and he made the right decision, for the country and the party, to step down after 10 years as prime minister.”
“Trudeau moved the party too far to the left, and we needed to be a centrist party, talking about balanced budgets, cutting income taxes, getting resources to market, diversifying trade… I’m totally comfortable again in my skin in the party.”
Resetting the stage without Justin Trudeau
Today @MarkJCarney made clear that all Canadians need to feel safe in their communities. Over the last year I have fiercely advocated for bubble legislation to protect safe access to schools, places of worship & community buildings. Today the PM announced we will do it.
— Anthony Housefather (@AHousefather) April 10, 2025
Housefather believes Mark Carney is tuned into Jewish community interests. Still, many were alarmed that the new prime minister’s first public utterance about the Middle East conflict was a critique of Israel’s recent decision to block power to Gaza; subsequent Radio-Canada comments about ceasefire, aid, and territorial integrity, but no mention of hostages; and finally, his recent response to a heckler saying there was a genocide in Gaza, remarking, “I’m aware, that’s why there’s an arms embargo…” (He later explained his response as having misheard the original comment.)
It all adds weight to the notion held by many Jewish critics of a calculus that supporting Jews carries no electoral advantage.
Hampstead mayor Jeremy Levi has been harshly criticizing the Liberals since the Oct. 7 attacks, and at one point voiced support for Housefather if he’d cross the floor: “The Conservatives are unequivocal in their support for Israel and the Jewish community, because it’s the right thing to do. The Liberals make a calculated assessment based on math. The Conservatives put policies and positions based on what’s right.”
Côte Saint-Luc mayor Mitchell Brownstein has been an ardent Housefather supporter for three decades. And while keenly aware of dissatisfaction with the Liberals, he says it’s more about candidate than party.
“[Housefather is] an exceptional leader and is always standing up for issues we believe in, whether antisemitism, support for the State of Israel, or language rights. So it wouldn’t really matter to me which party he was with. He is the man. He always has been.”
Brownstein says Jews need leadership in all parties. “Conservatives and Liberals, it’s always a ping-pong, and we want both to be in line with our views. If we didn’t have him (Housefather), the party could go in a direction we would not like. Wherever we can have people speaking for us, that’s a good thing. Otherwise, we’re just putting all our eggs in one basket, and we have no voice when the other party is in power.”
Housefather insists the Liberal caucus is of one mind on antisemitism. “I don’t think there’s anybody in the Liberal party that is on a different wavelength than I am on antisemitism in Canada. On the issue of Israel, there are clearly distinctions.”
He says the vast majority are also in tune with proposals of the Report of the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights on antisemitism, issued in December. He also says Carney gets it. “I’m incredibly impressed by his knowledge of this issue, of the report and his readiness to talk about bubble legislation, outlawing glorification of terrorism, and how well-versed he was on the file. I’m convinced that he will be very different as prime minister in terms of prioritizing this issue and taking action.”
Asked about criticism of the Liberal government’s tendency to pair Islamophobia denunciations with any mention of antisemitism, Housefather says, “the mistake many politicians have made in communication in the last 18 months has been feeling, when you have a synagogue that’s been firebombed, that you need to talk about Islamophobia, and that when you have a mosque that is vandalized, you need talk about antisemitism. It’s ridiculous… In our conversation Mark said that exactly, they’re not the same, and you don’t twin them.”
Housefather notes former caucus colleague Marco Mendicino, a vocal supporter of Jews and pro-Israel voices, is Carney’s chief of staff, “a role that in a way is more powerful than being one of 150 caucus members, in that he has the prime minister’s ear, day in and day out.”
What the challenger stands for—and against
Neil Oberman argues the Liberals haven’t actually changed, aside from their choice of leader.
“People have short memories. When you look at the current party, as it stands, 87 percent of the cabinet are all Trudeau.” He doesn’t see the Liberal surge under new leader Carney manifested, but rather “a migration of a sentiment that demonstrates, win at any cost and pitch any message that will support your winning.”
On the ground, Oberman has been busy. After gaining most of his fame via advocacy and legal work on behalf of students and various institutions over the last 18 months, he’s been hitting the doors since June, racking up thousands of visits and putting the boot to the notion that he hasn’t been actively campaigning.
“It’s not factual in any way. I can’t even tell you how many events we’ve done so far, and while working full-time as a lawyer, a father, a husband, and a son, compared to my opponent, who wasn’t sitting in Parliament because his leader and government decided to close shop. That gave him ample time on the government’s dollar to do whatever he wanted to do,” Oberman told The CJN at his campaign office located near the junction of Côte des Neiges and Town of Mount-Royal.
On Israel and antisemitism, Oberman is betting that Jews of Côte Saint-Luc and Hampstead are “overwhelmingly rejecting the Liberal Party.” He says Carney’s comments and omissions on Gaza, “without even mentioning one hostage,” speak to the party’s orientation: “Every day the Liberal Party does something to basically disrespect the Jewish population in this riding and throughout Canada, and there is nothing my opponent can do about it. There’s no message he can pitch.”
Last night in Calgary.
— Neil G. Oberman (@NeilOberman) April 9, 2025
Heckler: “There’s genocide happening in Palestine right now!”
Carney: “I’m aware! That’s why we have an arms embargo!”
Meet the new Liberals. Same as the old ones. While #Hamas still holds hostages (including Canadian). Shameful. pic.twitter.com/RxfTPb79QQ
Indeed, the $100-million Global Affairs Canada (GAC) aid package for Gaza and the West Bank announced by Mélanie Joly on March 25, two days after the election campaign launch,has stirred anger and a few social media clashes, with Housefather’s critics lambasting him for what they call weak assurances that funds are not diverted.
According to GAC, the funding is to restore essential health services, support vulnerable communities, provide food, shelter, advance mine-removal efforts, and boost economic recovery, social resilience, and governance by aiding the Palestinian Authority in stabilization and reconstruction.
Housefather defends the package, noting he voted against funding UNRWA last year, but recognizes “people need aid. As long as humanitarian aid gets to the civilians who need it, I support it. And I expect them to be monitored and followed.” He said all foreign aid is audited and accounted, “and aid going to areas like this is subject to even more detailed scrutiny.”
Oberman says that’s not where the money needs to go. “It’s a financial issue. There are people in this riding who could use those millions. There are social organizations, MADA, Filipino community centres, why is that money notcoming back into Canada? We’re not in a position to give out $100 million when we busted the budget because Mrs. (Finance Minister Chrystia) Freeland couldn’t keep track of the coins.”
He also frames his student advocacy broadly: “Everybody says ‘Jewish students’, but all students have a right to go to school without being harassed. It applies to Hindu students, Muslim students and Christian students, because they too can’t go to school because they’re being obstructed by the same people obstructing those Jewish students.”
Oberman says he is “disgusted with the government of Canada for doing nothing. What happened when a bunch of truckers in Ottawa urinated on the street and built a hot tub? They used the most draconian statute available under Canadian law, the Emergency Measures Act, and used it quickly. They froze bank accounts, arrested people, but what did they do for the last 19 months while people were running around our country, blocking traffic and buildings, throwing firebombs, shooting up schools, threatening and beating up people, blocking students from class? Nothing. Zero. If people continue to vote for the Liberal Party, they should not complain when they see this continue.”
While the incumbent announces endorsements by current and former politicians, Oberman says he’s not overly interested in duelling endorsements—although he’ll welcome support, as he did recently with a video of himself and Ariela Cotler days after Housefather posted a message of support from her former Liberal MP husband, Irwin Cotler. Instead, the Conservative candidate says he prefers endorsements from young voters.
Guess who has a lawn sign at Ariela & Irwin Cotler’s home?😉
— Mayor Jeremy Levi (@jerlevi) April 8, 2025
Behind every great man, is a great woman.
That’s how an endorsement is done! pic.twitter.com/tClpUlvZU4
Seeking support beyond the boomers
Polling shows older Canadians lean Liberal, especially with Carney offering steadiness amid U.S. uncertainty. But younger voters, says Oberman, are being denied opportunities.
“You’re only thinking about what makes you feel good. Stop being selfish,” he tells older voters. “When you cast that ballot and don’t bring change, young people won’t have the same opportunities you had. Why in 2025 do young people need lawyers to attend university and CEGEP?
Former candidate Robert Libman told The CJN he believes Conservatives will win over voters in Côte Saint-Luc and Hampstead. “We did that in 2015 with Stephen Harper, who was also a strong supporter of Israel.” Though Libman lost that race by nearly 6,000 votes, like Housefather, he notes the Jewish community is only a portion of the riding.
“No one can accuse Anthony of not being a staunch supporter of Israel, but at the same time, people are upset that he sort of toyed with the idea, or at least spoke out loud, about switching parties because of how sad he was with the Liberals and then didn’t. Some people read that as opportunism. He knew that not running for the Liberals was always a long shot in this riding.”
Libman says staunchly pro-Israel voters are inspired by Pierre Poilievre’s unambiguous stance and full-throated support for Israel and Jewish Canadians. “It’s a stark dichotomy with how the Liberals have dealt with it. Members of our community want a strong voice from the prime minister on behalf of these issues. We’re seeing it, interestingly enough, from François Legault who has been much more pro-Israel than the Liberals have been, and that’s why Jews are conflicted.”
Poilievre receives thunderous welcome in Liberal Mount Royal, during his standing-room only speech at Côte St. Luc's Beth Israel Beth Aaron Synagogue @JoelGoldenberg1 reports. https://t.co/hrd35pfIjP
— National Newswatch (@natnewswatch) March 27, 2024
Find out more at https://t.co/xofn4ZIXij pic.twitter.com/QAbjMNiLl3
Poilievre’s visits to the riding, especially a packed March 2024 synagogue event, energized support—even from traditional Liberal voters—amid high polling numbers.
Libman says many Jews want to back Poilievre for his stance, “but many remain turned off by his persona. But when you think of the Trudeau Liberals and how they dealt with Israel and how incoherent their position was, it’s very hard for a Jew with a clear conscience to vote for the Liberals.”
‘A tale of two elections’ in Mount Royal
Marvin Rotrand, formerly Montreal’s longest-serving city councillor and founder of United Against Hate Canada, has known Housefather for decades. “We worked closely together and mirrored the same point of view in terms of minority rights and English language services. As an MP he was extremely present and responsive to constituents, and we shared similar views on promoting a Canada that’s tolerant and open to all groups and proud of Canada’s multicultural dimension.”
“For the Jewish community this election will not hinge on antisemitism; it’s more about our national sovereignty and cohesion; we need a robust response to Donald Trump and tariffs, and the Liberal Party and Mark Carney are the best voice for us and our interests.”
He says Housefather helped make the government’s recent antisemitism forum a success, “not only because of funding that came out of it, but the gathering of law enforcement to be sensitized at the top levels. It was valuable simply because of who was there. He was the first national politician to call for it.”
Oberman disagrees, calling the forum partisan for excluding some voices while inviting select friends of participants, saying no change comes “if core values aren’t addressed,” and is skeptical of pledges to secure buildings and education funding. “They throw millions at the community and say it’s for security; that’s like the burglar selling you a cheap alarm system and keeping the code to the front door.”
Jeremy Levi is mayor of Canada’s most proportionately Jewish town, but was absent from the forum. “Of course I wasn’t invited!” he laughed. “This is what they do, surround themselves with people that will not publicly criticize them. The Liberal Party has turned its back on the Jewish community and Israel. There’s no way I can ever support a party like that.
“Again, it’s not about Anthony the individual, but the party he belongs to.”
Another critic with praise for the candidate but disdain for the party, is former longtime Montreal author and broadcaster Tommy Shnurmacher, a Mount Royal resident who says this election “feels drastically different and has been fascinating, watching the ebb and flow. Remember the saying ‘They can run a monkey under a Liberal banner and win’? There’ve been some inroads in parts of the community, but it’s an uphill battle because Anthony’s a decent guy and hardworking MP. But a vote for Anthony in Mount Royal is still a vote for the Liberals.”
Shnurmacher rejects arguments that the Liberal Party needs passionate voices for Jews and Israel, for fear of the consequences if those voices weren’t there. “I imagine it would be excellent if he wasn’t there, because we’d have a much clearer vision of what the party actually is. They’re not pro-Israel. So that would be crystal clear.”
One reason hell and hatred has been consistently spilling into the streets of Montreal is because numerous members of the governing Plante administration tacitly support anti-Israel protests. The protesters feel emboldened — that they can riot with impunity.
— Robert Libman (@RobertLibman) November 25, 2024
Libman says the current campaign is “a tale of two elections,” and he acknowledges that things have gotten more complicated for his own party in the 10 months since Oberman became the Conservative candidate.
“For the longest time it looked as though Poilievre was cruising to victory and then circumstances south of the border shook things up… All the antagonism towards Trudeau and the Liberals have somewhat dissipated. Carney is bland and competent, which some people want in these circumstances.
“It certainly looks as though Donald Trump is the biggest gift ever given to the Liberals.”
