The federal government will hold a national forum on combatting antisemitism in February — news that comes as police investigate a suspicious fire at a Montreal synagogue and gunshots aimed at a Toronto Jewish girls school.
Newly appointed Minister of Official Languages Rachel Bendayan announced the forum shortly after her swearing-in at Rideau Hall on Friday. She said that “everybody is aware that crime, hate-motivated crime in particular, is on the rise.”
The forum will be held in Ottawa, according to a news release. It will be co-chaired by Justice Minister Arif Virani, Public Safety Minister David McGuinty and Bendayan, also the associate minister of public safety.
“This forum reflects the government of Canada’s commitment to protecting everyone in Canada, and addressing hate in all its forms,” the news release says.
The Toronto police hate crime unit is investigating gunshots that were firedat a Jewish girls elementary school for the third time this year. The most recent shooting happened after 2:30 a.m. …