I am usually pretty neutral about mayors' records (it's a tough job, especially in Toronto, a city too big to be so subject to Premiers' shifting whims) but Chow's repeated failure to stand up for Toronto's Jews is absolutely damning.
I think there is a structural problem with our criminal justice system. There is nobody that we, the citizens/voters, can directly hold electorally accountable. We have Justice Ministers - federal and provincial - but nobody runs for that position or must seek re-election for that position. Instead, we elect Members of Parliament or Legislatures. After that, some lawyer elected to office gets appointed to the position. Accountability is so blurred and diffuse it does not exist.
In the United States, one of the core elected offices in every state is the Attorney General. In every county, the district attorney and the sheriff are directly elected. In many places, so too are the judges. This system has its downsides, but it has the great virtue of letting citizens - on a scheduled and regular basis, fire someone who is egregiously incompetent or indifferent. If the citizens fail to do so, at least it is on them.
Could not agree more. These may be the FEW positions that needs more politicizing to hold them accountable. Not hard to do, we hold municipal elections on a schedule, we elect school trustees, very easy to add your senior Crown, your Police Chief, and the PC Judges to that.
The Liberal Party is afraid to stand up for Jews, and most in Canadian media are afraid to challenge the Liberal Party on this, the Line included. I mean, just the other day, you guys were still talking about how great Carney is, and something something Poilievre failing to pivot, pivoting too late, pivoting too much. Currently, the Conservative Party is the only political party in Canada without a big antisemitic faction, but that doesn't seem to help them. I guess that means Canada has a huge antisemitic problem. And the desire to solve it is very low.
My neighbour is of Swedish descent. Last month, they changed their family name because it sounded Jewish, and they were tired of the discrimination this caused them.
Matt is right to criticize the police and their political masters for their inaction. But I fear that this is the tip of an iceberg of growing antisemitism more generally here in Canada. This seems especially true among many young people. I don't know why -- ignorance of history, perhaps, or the role of influencers.
Great question. What do you think? Off the top of my head: Ecumenical support across faiths would be a start. Improved police presence. Also Jesse Brown is hoping to parley his recent coverage on the topic into a cross country series at universities that promotes dialogue and understanding.
You have some interesing ideas. In the spirit of "Neighbourhood watch", how about police-organized citizen observation/protection of synogogues, jewish schools etc. I'd join and take a shift.
Java, at the risk of offending, it's time for Jews to stop screwing around. Never, in the history of the diaspora and the the pogroms has any government provided meaningful, continuous safety and inclusion for Jews. For Jews, passivity kills.
Absolutely. My mainstream Protestant church here in TO (which has standout ministerial leadership) has made + strengthened ties with its Jewish neighbours since 7 Oct. It is the most basic Christian duty.
We wonder why recruitment for Canadian military and paramilitary members is low? There was a time when many politicians had experience in these fields. Serving meant more than paying lip service. Jewish Canadians deserve better. All Canadians deserve better. Whatever your thoughts on Israel, there is a reason it exists. When nations fail to protect all their citizens, those threatened feel compelled to create their own.
Let's not forget to ask where CSIS is in this situation. Israel attacks Iran or one of its proxies, and then synagogues in Canada, Australia, the US, and in Europe are shot up in the middle of the night. This is a coordinated, state sponsored terrorist campaign yet everyone seems to be treating this like it is lone wolf criminals.
Excellent. The refusal of our politicians to have our officers backs has put them in an untenable position at all levels of government. (For municipal disorder, see park encampments.) It's all made worse by the media's rush to print the out of context shots of police trying to handle confrontations deliberately orchestrated by activists.
Start with their own "leaders". When the police "leaders" become political and abandon their own the street cops are working for retirement not for the public. And who can blame them.
This is the Matt Gurney I signed up to read. Bravo!
"Helpless" is one of the best pieces of Canadian journalism I have ever read. Not just Blatchford's best, but maybe the best of all.
I left "X" because I couldn't stand to read the evidence of the growing antisemitism in my Country, and in Western Society. Not just growing in frequency. but also growing in intensity.
This is the style and quality of comment that drew me to the Line.
Thank you, Matt, for this excellent column. In the Jewish community, we've been pointing out these same things for years to no avail. And yes, it feels very lonely and frightening out here. ALL Canadians should be concerned about the cowardly nature of our law enforcement and politicians. Do none of them know about Germany in 1939?
As soon as the noise bylaw hour had passed every one of them should have been given a ticket. Next day another, then escalate according to the law, including jail until it stopped. Just the law, that's all.
The police chiefs and superintendents need to enforce the law and tell politicians to “ get the f- - k out of my office “ . Time for gutless ones to retire.
Well said. And Blatchford is sorely missed although I doubt the modern press would tolerate the controversies her columns would inspire. Canadians, as a generalization, have become risk averse. You see it in almost every aspect of our country. From our foreign policy to our lack of an entrepreneurial culture, everything points to a culture seeking to avoid risk. Canada was not always like that. And I cannot say if the cancel culture of the recent era or the slow, progressive growth of government (the most risk averse of all institutions) is responsible. But, as a people, we appear to have become bureaucrats and bureaucrat wannabes.
"Craven gutlessness" is exactly it.
Also, it is an utter tragedy that Blatch is dead. She would be hilariously and cuttingly apoplectic about the idiocy of these times.
I agree but having read her for decades, she would not be hilarious about this.
Agreed that she would not find violent antisemitism at all hilarious. But on the broader idiocy of this era? She would totally slay.
[Also a Blatch reader of decades, back to the days of her dog Blux and 'the Boy.' Sigh.]
Could not agree more. She had a natural wit and sauciness that is sadly missed.
Thank you Matt ! I stand with my Jewish friends, hate what is happening in Toronto and MTL.
You are so right, our politicians are very good at giving sound bites but actually do nothing.
I live in Toronto where our mayor just gives useless sound bites and does nothing.
I am usually pretty neutral about mayors' records (it's a tough job, especially in Toronto, a city too big to be so subject to Premiers' shifting whims) but Chow's repeated failure to stand up for Toronto's Jews is absolutely damning.
And intentional.
Marxists don't like Jews.
Not these days, for sure.
How did we get to a point where politics is more important than public safety?
2015.
Well said.
I think there is a structural problem with our criminal justice system. There is nobody that we, the citizens/voters, can directly hold electorally accountable. We have Justice Ministers - federal and provincial - but nobody runs for that position or must seek re-election for that position. Instead, we elect Members of Parliament or Legislatures. After that, some lawyer elected to office gets appointed to the position. Accountability is so blurred and diffuse it does not exist.
In the United States, one of the core elected offices in every state is the Attorney General. In every county, the district attorney and the sheriff are directly elected. In many places, so too are the judges. This system has its downsides, but it has the great virtue of letting citizens - on a scheduled and regular basis, fire someone who is egregiously incompetent or indifferent. If the citizens fail to do so, at least it is on them.
Could not agree more. These may be the FEW positions that needs more politicizing to hold them accountable. Not hard to do, we hold municipal elections on a schedule, we elect school trustees, very easy to add your senior Crown, your Police Chief, and the PC Judges to that.
Some form of constitutional reform could include & result in an independent, elected Senate being responsible for vetting & appointing judges.
Agreed, and "Elected" is critical.
And term limits with no golden handshake at the end.
The Liberal Party is afraid to stand up for Jews, and most in Canadian media are afraid to challenge the Liberal Party on this, the Line included. I mean, just the other day, you guys were still talking about how great Carney is, and something something Poilievre failing to pivot, pivoting too late, pivoting too much. Currently, the Conservative Party is the only political party in Canada without a big antisemitic faction, but that doesn't seem to help them. I guess that means Canada has a huge antisemitic problem. And the desire to solve it is very low.
The Jewish MP's in the Liberal Party are also very quiet when it comes to the violence against the Jewish community.
Exactly. I used to have sympathy for Housefather, but then I realized that he was just a spineless ninny.
You are correct. Also, the CPC should be screaming from the rooftops about the non-enforcement of hate laws. I hear mostly crickets.
My neighbour is of Swedish descent. Last month, they changed their family name because it sounded Jewish, and they were tired of the discrimination this caused them.
Matt is right to criticize the police and their political masters for their inaction. But I fear that this is the tip of an iceberg of growing antisemitism more generally here in Canada. This seems especially true among many young people. I don't know why -- ignorance of history, perhaps, or the role of influencers.
Smart phones and social media and possibly ideologically captured educators.
Sad and sobering analysis.
👏 well articulated, Matt. More needs to be said and done.
But...who will act?
Great question. What do you think? Off the top of my head: Ecumenical support across faiths would be a start. Improved police presence. Also Jesse Brown is hoping to parley his recent coverage on the topic into a cross country series at universities that promotes dialogue and understanding.
You have some interesing ideas. In the spirit of "Neighbourhood watch", how about police-organized citizen observation/protection of synogogues, jewish schools etc. I'd join and take a shift.
That’s beautiful
Java, at the risk of offending, it's time for Jews to stop screwing around. Never, in the history of the diaspora and the the pogroms has any government provided meaningful, continuous safety and inclusion for Jews. For Jews, passivity kills.
Absolutely. My mainstream Protestant church here in TO (which has standout ministerial leadership) has made + strengthened ties with its Jewish neighbours since 7 Oct. It is the most basic Christian duty.
We wonder why recruitment for Canadian military and paramilitary members is low? There was a time when many politicians had experience in these fields. Serving meant more than paying lip service. Jewish Canadians deserve better. All Canadians deserve better. Whatever your thoughts on Israel, there is a reason it exists. When nations fail to protect all their citizens, those threatened feel compelled to create their own.
Let's not forget to ask where CSIS is in this situation. Israel attacks Iran or one of its proxies, and then synagogues in Canada, Australia, the US, and in Europe are shot up in the middle of the night. This is a coordinated, state sponsored terrorist campaign yet everyone seems to be treating this like it is lone wolf criminals.
Excellent. The refusal of our politicians to have our officers backs has put them in an untenable position at all levels of government. (For municipal disorder, see park encampments.) It's all made worse by the media's rush to print the out of context shots of police trying to handle confrontations deliberately orchestrated by activists.
"...deliberately orchestrated by activists." Activists often paid by foreign interests.
Start with their own "leaders". When the police "leaders" become political and abandon their own the street cops are working for retirement not for the public. And who can blame them.
This is the Matt Gurney I signed up to read. Bravo!
"Helpless" is one of the best pieces of Canadian journalism I have ever read. Not just Blatchford's best, but maybe the best of all.
I left "X" because I couldn't stand to read the evidence of the growing antisemitism in my Country, and in Western Society. Not just growing in frequency. but also growing in intensity.
This is the style and quality of comment that drew me to the Line.
Nicely done, folks.
Thank you, Matt, for this excellent column. In the Jewish community, we've been pointing out these same things for years to no avail. And yes, it feels very lonely and frightening out here. ALL Canadians should be concerned about the cowardly nature of our law enforcement and politicians. Do none of them know about Germany in 1939?
It depends what the government predicts the public response to intervention will be.
The peaceful Trucker Convoy drew the full force of the Federal Government's belated but stunningly overreaching wrath.
This was bookended between abject tolerance of the violent pre-covid pipeline and railway protests and the present "Death to Canada" militants.
Anything for a vote.
the trucker convoy was as far from peaceful as truck horns can be. nice marketing lol
Chanting, megaphones and air horns are also annoying.
Can you think of any way the truck horns could have been silenced? Can you think why that wasn't done?
As soon as the noise bylaw hour had passed every one of them should have been given a ticket. Next day another, then escalate according to the law, including jail until it stopped. Just the law, that's all.
We can agree on that, at least!
Paris, France blocked trucks from the roads heading into the city.
The police chiefs and superintendents need to enforce the law and tell politicians to “ get the f- - k out of my office “ . Time for gutless ones to retire.
Well said. And Blatchford is sorely missed although I doubt the modern press would tolerate the controversies her columns would inspire. Canadians, as a generalization, have become risk averse. You see it in almost every aspect of our country. From our foreign policy to our lack of an entrepreneurial culture, everything points to a culture seeking to avoid risk. Canada was not always like that. And I cannot say if the cancel culture of the recent era or the slow, progressive growth of government (the most risk averse of all institutions) is responsible. But, as a people, we appear to have become bureaucrats and bureaucrat wannabes.