January 14, 2026

OTTAWA – Citing global threats and rising levels of Jew hatred in this country, B’nai Brith Canada has written to the Prime Minister to urge him to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry to combat antisemitism.

In addition, B’nai Brith Canada is reiterating its call for the Prime Minister to appoint a new Special Envoy for combating antisemitism, as the position has been vacant since July. This is problematic, our organization contends, because, during a national crisis of rising antisemitism, the Jewish community has been left without an advocate in the Federal Government.

“Antisemitic acts are becoming a daily occurrence in Canada,” said Richard Robertson, B’nai Brith Canada’s Director of Research and Advocacy. “In a 24-hour period earlier this week, Jews across Canada experienced dozens of hateful incidents, including graffiti glorifying the Nazis and threats to the Jewish community.

“This is alarming in a global context, where antisemitic ideologies are increasingly motivating acts of terror and domestic extremism, as we saw at the Beth Israel Congregation in Jackson, Miss., just this past weekend. Our Government should not wait for a tragedy to force it to act.”

B’nai Brith Canada is advocating for the Federal Government to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry – an independent body of Cabinet-appointed experts – to investigate antisemitism in this country, prepare a report on their findings, and develop recommendations for policymakers. Canada has traditionally turned to Royal Commissions of Inquiry to address questions of national importance, such as the national investigation into the cases of missing and murdered Indigenous people in 2016.

Such a Royal Commission on antisemitism is under way in Australia after Islamic State (ISIS)-inspired terrorists massacred dozens of Jews during a Chanukah celebration at Bondi Beach, in Sydney, on Dec. 14, 2025. The day after the tragedy, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) arrested three men alleged to have been plotting an ISIS-aligned attack in Toronto.

Our organization believes Canada should embrace Australia’s approach and give its Royal Commission a similar mandate.

“Canada cannot afford to be caught off guard any more than it already has been,” said Simon Wolle, B’nai Brith Canada’s Chief Executive Officer. “Establishing a Royal Commission would demonstrate that the Federal Government recognizes the severity of threats targeting the Jewish community and provide an opportunity to engage in an impartial, thorough assessment of antisemitism in this country.”

As for a Special Envoy, Wolle considers it vital for the Government to have a “qualified individual” to help amplify Canada’s efforts to combat antisemitism.

“Leaving this position vacant,” Wolle said, “undermines Canada’s international reputation and signals a lack of commitment to fighting antisemitism, leaving Canada’s Jewish community feeling neglected.”