Ontario’s Solicitor General, Michael Kerzner, sent an urgent letter on December 30, 2025, to both the Toronto Police Chief and the chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, urging for stricter enforcement of existing laws that target hate, intimidation, and harassment-related offenses, reported The Canadian Jewish News (CJN). This move comes after a troubling event last week, on December 26, when around 100 anti-Israel demonstrators interrupted activities at the Eaton Centre mall in Toronto. The crowd included many individuals wearing masks and keffiyehs who disrupted a family-friendly Christmas light show. Videos showed protesters holding signs accusing Canada of supporting Israel in its alleged military actions against Gaza. Two protesters were heard chanting “Intifada right now!” while Toronto police were present but made no arrests before the group dispersed. In an interview with CJN, Kerzner shared why he wrote the letter: “What prompted my letter today to the chief of police and to the police service board was two years’ worth of harassment, intimidation, and hate that’s been directed not only at the Jewish community but at law-abiding citizens of Ontario.” He voiced his concerns for the vast majority of people wanting to live peacefully without such disturbances. Kerzner’s letter specifically asked Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and Shelley Carroll, chair of the Toronto Police Service Board, to use all available resources to tackle hate-driven crimes and issues related to public order. The Solicitor General stressed the need for “prompt, consistent, and visible enforcement” to ensure community safety. In his correspondence, Kerzner expressed disappointment over what he saw as a lack of visible police action during recent antisemitic incidents which he believes undermines public trust in law enforcement. He also pointed out that the Ford government had allocated significant resources to aid police in managing these rising threats through legislation like the Community Safety and Policing Act that took effect in April 2024. This new law provides additional training, funding, and legal power to combat hate crimes and maintain public order. While Kerzner’s letter highlighted issues connected to the recent protest at Eaton Centre, it also referenced other ongoing concerns. For example, he mentioned intimidation tactics used during anti-Israel protests in residential neighborhoods which have left many locals feeling unsafe where they live. Kerzner criticized how little visible police response there has been regarding these actions despite having sufficient resources and legislative backing. On December 31, Toronto Police released a statement defending their approach by stressing that their officers are trained to uphold laws while respecting residents’ rights. They noted that since hostilities began in Gaza they’ve managed over 800 demonstrations linked to this issue leading up to almost 500 arrests along with more than 1,000 charges related to protests and hate crimes. The force also mentioned expanding its Hate Crime Unit to include 28 officers as of November 2023. However, police acknowledged needing further legislative support from provincial authorities for effective prosecutions. Toronto has experienced a significant increase in antisemitic incidents since Hamas’s attack on October 7th in Israel followed by subsequent conflict in Gaza. Data released by Toronto Police Service found that city reached a record high in reported hate crime incidents during 2024 with Jewish communities being targeted once again. In recent weeks alone , city has witnessed several serious antisemitic events . At beginning December , model from Toronto said she was forced out an Uber ride-share car after midnight when driver discovered she was Jewish . Week later , about hundred mezuzahs were removed from doors elderly Jewish residents at North York residence what police called “hate-motivated theft.” Last week , another incident occurred where mezuzahs were ripped off doorways Jewish individuals recorded North York . Between these incidents , man from Toronto faced charges for willful promotion hatred nearly year after allegedly distributing antisemitic flyers city’s west end .
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