Prime Minister Mark Carney used his official X account on Monday to condemn the shooting that took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ontario, on Sunday night. The incident occurred at about 7:10 p.m. as members of the Jewish community gathered for Yom Kippur services, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar.
Carney wrote, “Last night, on the holiest night of the Jewish calendar, a shooting took place outside the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville. Jewish people must be able to worship safely. To live free, open, proud Jewish.” The statement underscores the federal government’s commitment to safeguarding religious liberty and protecting all Canadians from hate‑motivated violence.
Police response and injuries
According to the Belleville Police Service, the shooter, a 29‑year‑old man, was taken to hospital in life‑threatening condition. A police officer who responded to the scene was listed as being in critical‑stable condition. Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit confirmed these details in a brief statement.
Provincial and municipal actions
Ontario Premier Doug Ford also issued a statement on social media, affirming that Jewish community members have “every right to gather and worship safely and without fear.” The Toronto Police Service announced it would increase patrols near synagogues and other houses of worship across the Greater Toronto Area, citing an “abundance of caution” amid a reported rise in anti‑Jewish incidents.
Federal steps to combat antisemitism
Earlier this year, Carney announced the creation of a new federal advisory council tasked with addressing antisemitism nationwide. The council was formed in response to a surge in hate crimes targeting Jewish Canadians, which the government described as a failure to protect a vulnerable community. The council will advise on policy measures, education initiatives, and law‑enforcement coordination to curb hate‑motivated offenses.
Community reaction
Local Jewish leaders expressed gratitude for the swift condemnation from both federal and provincial officials. Rabbi David Cohen of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue said, “We appreciate the strong words from Prime Minister Carney and Premier Ford. Our community will continue to pray for peace and for the swift recovery of those injured.” Residents of Belleville, a city of roughly 55,000 located about 190 km east of Toronto, gathered outside the synagogue after the shooting to show solidarity and to demand stronger security measures.
What comes next?
The investigation into the shooter remains ongoing, with police seeking additional information about the motive and any possible affiliations. Law‑enforcement agencies at the municipal, provincial, and federal levels have pledged to work together to ensure that places of worship across Canada remain safe spaces for worship and community gathering.
As the nation watches the response to this tragic event, officials emphasize that protecting religious freedom is a core Canadian value, rooted in the Constitution and the country’s long‑standing commitment to multiculturalism.
Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
