Backgrounder: Inspector General’s Notice of Issue and Policing Sector Meeting to Fortify Responses to Rising Antisemitic and Hate‑Motivated Incidents in Ontario

Download the Backgrounder (PDF)

 

July 14, 2026 – The Inspector General of Policing has released his first Notice of Issue following a meeting of police chiefs, police service board leadership, and Jewish and community organizations. The Notice identifies seven specific policing actions to fortify the approach to the sustained rise in antisemitic and hate-motivated incidents in Ontario. 

 

The Inspector General’s meeting, held on June 15, 2026, brought together representatives from 14 municipal police services and police service boards, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police, Police Governance Ontario, and Jewish and community organizations. Participants discussed the impacts of rising antisemitism in Ontario, actions already undertaken by police services and boards, and opportunities to strengthen responses to antisemitic hate-motivated incidents. 

 

Participating Community Organizations  

 

The meeting included participation from Jewish and community organizations across Ontario, including: 

 

  • UJA Federation of Greater Toronto 
  • Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs 
  • Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Canada 
  • Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism 
  • B’nai Brith Canada 
  • Jewish Security Network 
  • The Abraham Global Peace Initiative 

 

Participating Police Services and Boards 

 

Participating police services and boards were selected from communities with significant Jewish populations and included: 

 

  • Ontario Provincial Police 
  • Barrie Police Service and Barrie Police Service Board 
  • Durham Regional Police Service and Durham Regional Police Service Board 
  • Guelph Police Service and Guelph Police Service Board 
  • Hamilton Police Service and Hamilton Police Services Board 
  • Halton Regional Police Service and Halton Police Board 
  • Kingston Police Service and Kingston Police Service Board 
  • London Police Service and London Police Service Board 
  • Niagara Regional Police Service and Niagara Police Service Board 
  • Ottawa Police Service and Ottawa Police Service Board 
  • Peel Regional Police Service and Peel Police Service Board 
  • Toronto Police Service and Toronto Police Service Board 
  • Waterloo Regional Police Service and Waterloo Police Service Board 
  • Windsor Police Service and Windsor Police Service Board 
  • York Regional Police Service and York Regional Police Service Board 

 

Quotes 

 

Community Organization Perspectives 

 

 

“For Jewish families, schools, synagogues, and community institutions, safety is no longer theoretical. We do not take for granted the work police services are doing to protect Jewish communities. We appreciate the Inspector General’s leadership in bringing police leaders and community voices together. Continued action on consistent enforcement, easier reporting, stronger training, and direct engagement with Jewish communities is essential to strengthening community confidence.” 

 

 Adam Minsky

 President and CEO, UJA Federation of Greater Toronto 
 

 

“We welcome the Inspector General of Policing’s leadership in bringing police leaders from across Ontario together to confront the growing threat of antisemitism and violent extremism. While the Jewish community continues to bear the brunt of these attacks, the extremist ideologies driving this hatred threaten far more than one community; they undermine the safety, security, and fundamental values that define our shared Canadian way of life. We look forward to continuing our close partnership with police services across Ontario to strengthen cooperation between law enforcement and the communities they protect. We are also deeply grateful to the dedicated men and women in uniform who put themselves in harm’s way every day to keep Ontarians safe.”

 

Noah Shack  

CEO, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs 

 

 

 “The meeting on June 15 was an essential opportunity for Jewish leaders to speak openly to police chiefs and police board leadership from across Ontario about the scourge of hate crimes targeting our community. We are grateful to Inspector General Teschner for convening this discussion and to the police leaders who came prepared to listen, engage, and work collaboratively toward practical solutions. The close working relationship between Jewish organizations and law enforcement is invaluable in helping ensure incidents are taken seriously, communities are protected, and responses continue to improve.”

 

Michael Levitt 

President and CEO, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center Canada

 

 

“The Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism (ALCCA) welcomes the Inspector General’s leadership in bringing together policing leaders to collectively strengthen their response to unprecedented levels of antisemitic hate crime. The keys to effective policing include training on the full range of criminal tools available to police and on how contemporary antisemitism often manifests as antizionist hatred against those who support Israel’s right to exist.”

 

Mark Sandler

Chair, Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism 

 

 

“My participation in the discussion with Ontario’s Chiefs of Police, at the request of the Inspector General, underscores the growing urgency of confronting antisemitism and hate-based incidents across our province. B’nai Brith Canada has been at the forefront of documenting and combating antisemitism, and what we are seeing is deeply concerning. Addressing this requires not only strong law enforcement responses, but sustained coordination with community organizations that are on the front lines. We welcome this engagement and remain committed to working collaboratively to ensure the safety, security, and dignity of Jewish communities and all those targeted by hate.” 

 

Simon Wolle 

CEO, B’nai Brith Canada 

 

 

 “The threats facing the Jewish community are real and require a clear, coordinated response. Police, government and communities must work together to protect one another through strong policing, consistent application of the law, meaningful consequences and active community involvement. This work ultimately strengthens the safety and security of all Canadians. JSN supports this important process and appreciates the leadership of the Inspector General and the work of police services across Ontario. We recognize and deeply appreciate the commitment, effort and sacrifices of the men and women in law enforcement who serve our communities every day. JSN stands ready to support their efforts and contribute in every practical way possible to the safety and security of the Jewish community and all law-abiding Canadians.” 

 

Jevon Greenblatt 

CEO, Jewish Security Network

 

 

“The Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI) applauds Ontario’s Inspector General of Policing, Ryan Teschner, for convening police chiefs, police boards, and Jewish community leaders to address the alarming rise of antisemitism across the province. We commend the 14 police agencies that participated in this important discussion. With Canada experiencing unprecedented levels of antisemitic incidents, AGPI continues to regard this scourge as a national emergency. During the meeting, AGPI recognized police leaders—particularly the Toronto Police Service—for enhanced deterrence efforts and the establishment of its new Counter-Terrorism Security Unit. AGPI continues to call for vigorous enforcement of hate crime laws and the full use of existing legal tools, including mischief, criminal harassment, intimidation, obstruction, and unlawful assembly provisions. AGPI stands ready to partner with law enforcement by providing guidance, support, education, and resources to help keep Ontario’s Jewish community safe and secure.” 

 

Avi Benlolo 

Chairman and CEO, The Abraham Global Peace Initiative 

 

 

Policing Sector Perspectives 

 

 

“These discussions reinforced the importance of listening directly to communities affected by antisemitism and hate. Police governance boards have an important responsibility to understand emerging community concerns, support public confidence, and ensure that accountability and community safety remain at the forefront of policing discussions. We appreciate the leadership of the Inspectorate of Policing in bringing together community organizations, police leaders, and governance representatives to share perspectives and identify opportunities to strengthen our collective response.” 

 

Al Boughton 

Chair, Police Governance Ontario 

 

 

“The June 15 meeting brought together community leaders, police services, governance representatives, and system partners to share perspectives and strengthen trust, safety, and accountability. While this Notice of Issue responds to a specific and significant increase in antisemitic incidents, its broader message is equally important: addressing hate in all its forms requires ongoing dialogue, strong partnerships, and a commitment to listening to and learning from affected communities. We are pleased to contribute to these conversations and look forward to supporting police governance boards as they implement the Inspector General’s Notice of Issue within their local governance responsibilities.” 

 

Lisa Darling 

Executive Director, Police Governance Ontario 

 

 

“Hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents are attacks on our shared values as Ontarians. The rise in shootings and other violent acts targeting Jewish communities—including brazen attacks on synagogues, residences, businesses, schools, as well as the U.S. Consulate in Toronto—is deplorable. We welcome the Inspector General of Ontario’s efforts to bring police and communities together to address these challenges and are committed to prevention, swift investigation, and enforcement so Ontarians feel safe and supported. Our association is committed to supporting police services as they implement the actions identified through the Notice of Issue.” 

 

Chief Peter Moreira 

President, Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police