Canada's Carney pledges action on antisemitism amid backlash over new anti-hate council members

Lead

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a national address on June 1, 2026, at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, admitting that “Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians” and promising a targeted response to a surge in antisemitism. However, the announcement of a new anti-hate advisory council has drawn criticism due to the inclusion of two members with past controversial statements and associations, as reported by Fox News and The Jerusalem Post.

During the speech, Carney described antisemitism in Canada as “specific, severe and demands a targeted response,” noting that last year over two-thirds of all religion-motivated hate crimes were directed at Jewish Canadians, who make up only 1% of the population. He acknowledged that antisemites have fired bullets at Jewish schools, firebombed synagogues, attacked community centers, and targeted Jewish-owned businesses.

Coverage Comparison

Outlets took different approaches to covering the announcement and the ensuing controversy. Fox News focused on the contradictory selections for the council, referencing two members who have reportedly expressed statements deemed unsupportive of the Jewish state. The Jerusalem Post published multiple pieces, including an editorial that praised Carney for citing the IHRA’s role in defining antisemitism but criticized the speech for not addressing the deeper forces driving the crisis. Meanwhile, The Hindu delivered a more straightforward account of the speech and the council’s creation, quoting Carney and a representative of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).

All outlets confirmed the speech and the formation of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion. The disagreement emerges over what the council’s membership represents. Fox News and The Jerusalem Post both relayed concerns about the past remarks and history of two appointees – Omar Alghabra and Avnish Nanda.

Key Claims

• According to The Hindu, Carney’s government has “introduced legislation over the last year to combat antisemitism and other forms of hatred” and allocated $75 million to improve security at faith-based institutions.
• Carney also referred to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as an essential tool, as reported by The Jerusalem Post.
• In a June 2, 2026 report, The Jerusalem Post named the council members: former senator Marc Gold, LGBT activist Martine Roy, retired Olympic skater Catriona Le May Doan, former Transport Minister Omar Alghahera, Metis advocate Gary LaPlante, academic Dr. Aftab Erfan, and litigator Avnish Nanda.
• Fox News reported that Alghabra, a former Liberal cabinet minister, has faced criticism for past comments and actions, including a refusal to condemn the October 7 attacks and for lobbying to keep Hezbollah legal, as well as earlier remarks about the Israeli military occupation.
• Fox News also reported that Nanda previously represented anti-Israel encampment activists and has been criticized by Jewish advocates for promoting antisemitic activity.
• According to The Jerusalem Post, Alghabra, in a 2004 press release issued when he was president of the Canadian Arab Federation, criticized news wire editors for appending “terrorist” to Al‐Qaqsa Martyrs Brigades, a group Canada had listed as a terrorist entity in 2003.
• The Hindu quoted Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, saying the government must do more to strengthen community security and combat hate.

Perspectives

The following perspectives provide distinct viewpoints in the material.

Government of Canada (official position): Prime Minister Carney acknowledged declining communal trust and introduced the ministerial council as part of a larger national response. In his speech, he also announced that after the funding of $75 million would go to religious institutions for security enhancements.

Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (community voice): Noah Shack said before the address that the government needed to do more to strengthen community security and combat hatred, stressing that declarations alone are insufficient.

Jerusalem Post’s editorial team: In an analysis published after the speech, the Jerusalem Post’s writers argued that Carney’s words were “significant” but fell short of what was needed. The editorial criticized the creation of a council that included figures such as Alghabra, who had previously criticized the designation of terrorist groups, and Nanda, who had represented encampment activists. The paper contended that the government must name the funders and ideologies behind the rise of antisemitism, and not simply set up a body to debate the issue further.