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Globe and Mail
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Ottawa police probing defacement of National Holocaust Monument as hate crime
The Ottawa Police Service confirmed an act of vandalism on the National Holocaust Monument is being investigated by its hate crime unit. The words 'FEED ME' were found scrawled in red paint across the front of the monument Monday morning. Red paint was splashed on other parts of it as well. Ottawa police said they are treating the incident with the utmost seriousness, noting the impact such crimes have on the community. 'Reporting hate-motivated incidents is an important step in stopping cycles of hatred,' the service said in a statement. There has been an increase in reports of hate crime in Canada in recent years, which police agencies across the country link explicitly to the outbreak of war between Hamas and Israel in October, 2023. Police-reported hate crimes rose 32 per cent in 2023 compared with 2022. There has also been an increase of crimes targeting Jews in Canada, with 900 crimes reported in 2023, compared with 527 the year before. A petition condemning the vandalism in Ottawa was tabled in Parliament Monday by Conservative MP Tamara Kronis, who said 'the government must enforce the law and protect Jewish Canadians from hate, violence and intimidation.' Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Steven Guilbeault also issued a strong condemnation. 'This monument honours the courage of survivors and the memory of the six million Jews murdered during one of humanity's darkest chapters,' he said. 'Acts of antisemitism, hatred and intolerance are attacks on us all – and they will never be tolerated in Canada.' Gaps in how justice system responds to hate crimes need to be addressed, report finds Deborah Lyons, Canada's Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, said she was 'crushed' when she saw that the monument had been vandalized. She said that this was an antisemitic hate crime targeting Jews who have no connection to the Israeli government or its policies in Gaza. 'This is not a way to address the concerns that people have, either about what's happening in the Middle East or certainly about what's happened in our own country with the high spike of antisemitism,' Ms. Lyons said. Ottawa resident Robert Harmer, who lives close to the monument, called the vandalism 'a shame.' 'These monuments help us remember history – even the painful parts. Defacing something like the Holocaust Monument isn't protest; it's going too far.' Andres Bermudez, a resident and worker from Gemma Property Services involved in the cleanup, said the act was 'disrespectful and harmful.' 'These monuments attract tourists and beautify the city,' he said. 'Vandalism isn't the way to be heard. It's costly to clean up defaced walls, and the money comes from taxpayers.' Lawrence Greenspon, co-chair of the monument committee, spoke of his own family's experience of antisemitism. 'My father is a Holocaust survivor. His sister and his mother and father were all killed. My daughter is named after his sister,' Mr. Greenspon said. 'When somebody defaces the National Holocaust Monument, it is personal and it hurts, and particularly when it is such an act of hatred and antisemitism.' With a report from The Canadian Press
Toronto Sun
10-05-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
'CAN'T WAIT TO GET STARTED': Rookie MPs prepare for new life
Parliament Hill and the Peace Tower clock in Ottawa on Nov. 1, 2024. Photo by Jean Levac / Postmedia OTTAWA — She described it as a 'before and after' moment. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Tamara Kronis, who woke up the morning after election night as one of Canada's new members of Parliament, said she soon felt the weight of her new job after the glow of her victory the previous evening. 'People who run for office do so because they want to serve their community,' the newly-minted Tory Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP told the Toronto Sun. 'You wake up the morning after an election, and all of the sudden you have a whole bunch of new tools and a bunch of new ways to do that.' Kronis, a lawyer and goldsmith, was one of 112 rookie MPs elected to office on April 28 — newcomers to the intricate, contentious and often unforgiving world of Canadian politics. Nanaimo-Ladysmith MP Tamara Kronis, centre Photo by submitted For York Centre MP Roman Baber, the adjustment to life on Parliament Hill will no doubt be easier than many of his fellow rookies — thanks to his four years at Queen's Park as an MPP. 'I'm looking forward to being able to make a material difference, which is really why I think folks get into politics,' he said. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I really hope to bring my private sector experience, and my prior Queen's Park experience, to help my colleagues, help Pierre Poilievre, and try to do the best they can to restore the Canadian promise that I've been blessed to live.' Preparations for their new life began last week, when MPs from all parties arrived in Ottawa to begin orientation and meet the rest of their caucuses. Roughly a third of MPs elected last month are rookies like Kronis and Baber, who all spent the week participating in a crash course on being a parliamentarian, a service facilitated by the House of Commons. Topics covered include how to establish their offices both in Ottawa and in their riding, House and government procedure, and how to help make the adjustment to public life go as smoothly as possible. York Centre MP Roman Baber. Photo by Submitted One thing that struck Kronis in her first few weeks was the distance — and not just the kilometres between Ottawa and her home on Vancouver Island. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'One of things I heard a lot at the doors in my riding is how far people feel they are from government right now,' she said. 'We're on Vancouver Island, which is one of the farthest places in the country physically from Ottawa, but it's not just the physical distance for us — there's a real sense out here that our money goes east and it doesn't come back.' She aims to make sure everyone in her riding feels more connected to government, and know they have a voice in the House of Commons. Read More With the start of the spring sitting just a few weeks away, Baber — the only Conservative MP elected in the 416 — said he's ready to serve his riding. 'I am determined to help my colleagues hold the Mark Carney government accountable,' he said. 'There's a bit of uncertainty ahead, living away (from home) amounts to some challenges, but we know this is very rewarding work, and I can't wait to get started.' bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume Columnists Columnists Toronto Maple Leafs Columnists NBA
CBC
01-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Two new MPs on making minority Parliament work
New MPs — Liberal Emma Harrison and Conservative Tamara Kronis — share their priorities for their first session of Parliament, what they expect from their leaders and colleagues and how they plan to work together in a minority Parliament.
