Poilievre vows hardline security overhaul to tackle antisemitism during synagogue stop in Calgary

by Mark Cooper

(AJNews) – Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre unveiled a hardline counter-strategy to Prime Minister Mark Carney’s pledges to tackle rising antisemitism, promising a packed Calgary synagogue that a Tory government would overhaul national security and foreign policy to keep Jewish Canadians safe.

The key highlights of the proposal he said a Conservative government would introduce should it win the next election are:

• Immigration: Revamping vetting to block criminals and expel individuals tied to Hamas, Hezbollah, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) or any other recognized terrorist organizations.
• Asset Seizures: Freezing and reclaiming assets found to be stolen by IRGC members living in Canada.
• Foreign Policy: Building a positive diplomatic relationship with Israel.
• Local Protection: Easing red tape for Jewish institutions to secure safety funding.

“We, as a Conservative government are going to reform our immigration system, to make sure that criminals, terrorists, and anti-semites no longer come into our country,” said Poilievre to applause from the approximately 300 who gathered at short notice June 7 at Calgary’s Beth Tzedec Synagogue.

“We will have a real program to vet those who come here to make sure they have no prior associations whatsoever with IRGC, Hamas, Hezbollah or any of the other terrorist organizations that are rampaging across the Middle East.”

The announced measures draw a sharp contrast with the Liberal approach under Prime Minister Mark Carney, who similarly spoke to a congregation in Toronto earlier in the month outlining the government’s plan to tackle rising incidents of anti-semitism that have gripped the country since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack in Southern Israel.

Carney outlined how antisemitism has surged to levels not seen in the post-war period, both in Canada and throughout the world.

“The horror and shame are global. Our actions must be local,” Carney told congregants at Toronto’s Holy Blossom Temple.

“They start with clearly admitting that Canada’s civic compact is failing Jewish Canadians.

“And they extend to all Canadians recognizing that, if that covenant fails for one of our communities, it fails us all.”

While Jewish organizations in Canada appreciated the Prime Minister’s recognition of the problem, many felt it lacked concrete actions to address it and its perpetrators.

Pointing to a Global News report that 700 Iranian regime and IRGC associates operate in Canada, Poilievre vowed that a Conservative government would identify, deport, and freeze the assets of those “co-ordinating chaos” on Canadian streets.

“We will coordinate with all our allies, who share our objective of shutting down the IRGC, to take away the money that they have stolen from their population until such time Iran has a new and democratic regime and the money can be restored to the people of that country.”

Poilievre also said he would work to restore a fractured relationship between Canada and Israel.

“We need to state clearly…and we will never apologize for saying that Israel has the right to defend itself, to defend the Jewish State, that the Jewish people have and are entitled to have a homeland, and that includes having a strong armed forces to protect its people.”

Poilievre also said a Conservative government would develop a security funding rebate program so Jewish institutions don’t have to wade through red tape to access funding while risks to the community grow.

“The money should simply be spent, then reimbursed by a rebate program that is free from bureaucracy so that you and your administrators, here in your places of worship, can actually focus on serving your congregants in a safe environment, rather than filling out paperwork, hiring lobbyists and consultants.”

Calgary Jewish Federation President Lisa Libin, who spoke at the event, said it was important to hear from Poilievre and leaders from all political stripes about the scourge of antisemitism and how to meaningfully address it.

“In Canada, for our community, these events are not headlines,” said Libin.

“They are reminders of a reality that Canadian Jews continue to navigate with increasing concern and frequency.

“They are also reminders of why relationships matter, why engagement matters and why it matters that leaders take the time to listen, to learn, and stand alongside our community.”

Poilievre was introduced by Calgary Heritage Member of Parliament Shuvaloy Majumdar.

Mark Cooper is a Local Journalism Initiative Reporter.