Episode Details

As federal Liberals celebrate their newfound majority government—aided by floor crossings and three recent by-election victories—Canadian Jews are no so elated.

On Monday, April 27, B’nai Brith Canada releases its annual audit of antisemitic incidents; community members expect the numbers will break new records, as they have in many recent years. Earlier this month, Jewish leaders asked for $100 million in federal support following a series of attacks on synagogues and institutions. This past weekend underscored the need, as a suspect attempted to enter a synagogue in Thornhill during services, and wound up assaulting a congregant on the sidewalk outside after being barred from the building.

While police have made some arrests and some courts have handed down long sentences in hate crime cases, frequent protests—some moving through Jewish neighbourhoods—continue unimpeded.

On the one year anniversary of Mark Carney’s election win, the question remains: are Jewish Canadians any safer than they were before?

On today’s "North Star" episode, The CJN’s political panel weighs in.

We’re joined by Dan Mader, a Toronto-based Conservative strategist with Loyalist Public Affairs; David Birnbaum, a former Liberal MNA in Quebec’s national assembly for the Montreal area; and Noah Tepperman, a former NDP riding president in Windsor.

Related links

• What our CJN Political insiders predicted for 2026, on The CJN’s Jan 5 North Star edition.
• Why NDP leader elect Avi Lewis is bad for Canada’s Jewish community, on The CJN’s North Star with guest Noah Tepperman, NDP insider.
• Is Canada’s new Bill C-9 Combatting Hate Act going to make things safer for the Jewish community? We break it down with MPs Roman Baber and Anthony Housefather in The CJN.

Credits

• Host and writer: Ellin Bessner ( @ebessner )
• Production team: Zachary Kauffman (senior producer), Michael Fraiman (executive producer), Alicia Richler (editorial director)
• Music: Bret Higgins

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