Carney, Poilievre Call for Action on Holocaust Remembrance Day Amid Rising Anti-Semitism

Prime Minister Mark Carney greets Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre as they arrive at an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event at the National Holocaust Memorial in Ottawa, on Jan. 27, 2026. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

Political leaders and community figures attended the annual Holocaust memorial ceremony in Ottawa to commemorate victims of the Holocaust, and said Canadians must stand against anti-Semitism amid a rise of violent incidents targeting Jewish people and institutions.

The ceremony took place at the National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa on Jan. 27, International Holocaust Remembrance Day, marking 81 years since the liberation of the Auschwitz–Birkenau concentration camp.

Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke at the memorial ceremony, saying the liberation of Auschwitz–Birkenau “exposed the scale of Nazi crimes to the world and became symbols of the horrors of the Holocaust, the guilt of the enablers, and the resilience of the survivors.” He noted that it is the responsibility of Canadians to listen, reflect, and act to ensure “what happened will never happen again.”

“Today, we acknowledge that looking away is not a passive act, but an act of betrayal,” he said.

He also said in a Jan. 27 statement that the Jewish community has faced a “devastating resurgence of antisemitism in Canada and around the world,” adding that it is the duty of Canadians to “build a country where Jewish people can live their lives safely, openly, and freely.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre also spoke at the ceremony and said Canadians cannot ignore the “scourge of ongoing anti-Semitism after the attacks of Oct. 7, which victimized the people of Israel and indeed Jews all around the world.”

“We must stand up for the right of Jews to live safely, peacefully, and openly with the Star of David on their chest, with a mezuzah on the door, with a kippah on their heads, proudly proclaiming their Judaism and celebrating who they are as both Canadians and Jews,” Poilievre said.

Israel’s Ambassador to Canada Iddo Moed also attended the ceremony, and said, “We are mindful that ancient seeds of hatred have been unearthed from the past to be sown anew,” adding that in Canada, “Jews have come to fear for their safety and for their liberty in the North, seemingly less true, less strong, less free.”

The National Holocaust Monument in Ottawa, where the ceremony took place, was vandalized with red paint in June by a former City of Ottawa lawyer. A man was charged on June 27 with mischief to a war memorial, mischief exceeding $5,000, and harassment by threatening conduct. However, he received a suspended sentence in January, with the judge saying the act was not motivated by hate but instead by his political views.

This incident is one among many in which Jewish people and institutions have been targeted since October 2023. An elderly woman was stabbed while shopping for groceries in Ottawa, and Jewish institutions have been shot at and firebombed.

The Liberals say their recently introduced Bill C-9, which would make it illegal to prevent someone from attending a place of worship, would address some of these issues. The Conservatives have called for a crackdown on anti-Semitism, but they haven’t backed C-9 as they have concerns that some of the other provisions of the bill could stifle free expression, with some saying that if existing laws are enforced, the issues would be addressed.

Meanwhile, Canada has not had an anti-Semitism envoy since Deborah Lyons left the role in July. Lyons had served in the position since October 2023, but didn’t explain why she left, saying in a July 17 social media post that she was leaving the position “with a heavy heart.” She noted the position brought “so many challenges” and “some deep disappointments,” while also pointing to achievements in the role.