Ministers Gary Anandasangaree and Sean Fraser announced significant new measures today aimed at protecting communities from hate-motivated violence. The federal government released its National Commitments to Combat Antisemitism, a strategy designed to increase accountability, enhance education, and foster solidarity against hatred.

Response to Global Violence

This announcement comes in the wake of tragic events abroad. The ministers cited a recent mass shooting at Bondi Beach in Australia, where fifteen people died during a Hanukkah celebration, as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by violent extremism. Canada aims to prevent similar tragedies by strengthening its domestic approach to hate crimes.

“Antisemitism is unacceptable and has no place in Canada,” the ministers stated in a joint release. “We must stand united against hatred in all its forms by promoting accountability, education, and solidarity. No one should live in fear because of their religious, ethnic or cultural identity.”

Five Key Commitments

The new commitments stem from the National Forum on Combatting Antisemitism and collaboration with provincial, territorial, and municipal partners. The plan focuses on five core areas:

• Law Enforcement and Prosecution: The government will strengthen police training, support dedicated hate crime units, and standardize how data on antisemitism is collected across jurisdictions.
• Public Awareness: New campaigns will educate Canadians on the realities of antisemitism.
• National Coordination: Cross-government leadership will ensure a unified response to hate.
• Community Protection: Security measures will increase for students, academic institutions, and communities currently at risk of hate-motivated violence.
• Consistent Messaging: The government will promote the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definitions to ensure clarity in the fight against antisemitism.

Bill C-9: The Combatting Hate Act

To support these commitments legally, the government points to Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, introduced in September 2025. This legislation proposes amendments to the Criminal Code that specifically target hate-motivated actions.

If passed, Bill C-9 makes it a specific crime to intimidate or obstruct people accessing places of worship, schools, or community centres. It also categorizes hate-motivated crime as a distinct offence, ensuring clearer denunciation and accountability for offenders.

Furthermore, the bill plans to criminalize the willful promotion of hatred through the public display of specific terrorism or hate symbols. It also seeks to codify the definition of “hatred” to provide legal clarity and streamline the process for laying hate propaganda charges.

Next Steps

The federal government committed to semi-annual public reports to track the progress of these initiatives. They will continue working with all levels of government to implement these strategies effectively.

Frequently Asked Questions

What sparked these new commitments?

The commitments are a result of the National Forum on Combatting Antisemitism and are driven by a need to address rising hate crimes. Recent international tragedies, such as the attack in Australia, underscored the urgency of these measures.

How does Bill C-9 change the Criminal Code?

Bill C-9 proposes making hate-motivated crime a specific offence. It also creates new penalties for intimidating people at places of worship and schools, and for displaying hate symbols in public.

Who developed this plan?

The commitments were developed in collaboration with federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal partners, as well as law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders present at the National Forum.