One man has been arrested following an tried arson at a Montreal synagogue, police say.
Officers responded to a spot of worship at Sherbrooke Road and Wooden Avenue shortly after midnight on Friday following stories of a hearth.
No suspect was discovered on the scene, however police spokesperson Jean-Pierre Brabant informed International Information there was a damaged window and that an “incendiary object” was discovered inside.
Brabant mentioned firefighters responded rapidly and the constructing sustained minor harm.
“With some info that was offered by witnesses, we have been in a position to arrest a person who’s 38-years-old in hyperlink with the arson,” he added.
The suspect has met with investigators and Brabant mentioned an accusation might be filed with the Crown prosecutor later Friday.
Nobody was damage, mentioned Lisa Grushcow, the rabbi on the focused temple, in a message to her congregation and the broader group.
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“As I write, our constructing is totally open and practical. We’re grateful for the dedication and braveness of our group and our crew,” she mentioned.
However Grushcow mentioned there may be concern with the rise in antisemitism throughout Montreal and Canada.
In 2025, greater than two-thirds of all religion-motivated hate crimes focused the Jewish group, Prime Minister Mark Carney mentioned in his tackle on combating antisemitism on Monday.
“Our authorities will all the time shield the inalienable proper of the Jewish individuals to reside overtly in freedom, security and dignity,” he mentioned. “Safety is prime, however not adequate.”
Carney introduced the launch and membership of Canada’s new Ministerial Advisory Council on Rights, Equality, and Inclusion, with a mandate to reassess the drivers of antisemitism, develop a whole-of-government strategy to focus on hate, enhance the gathering and information on hate incidents and measure the influence of presidency efforts.
On Wednesday, Invoice C-9 handed third studying within the Senate. The invoice instantly addresses antisemitism and hate-motivated violence by amending the Prison Code to create a hate crime offence in addition to an offence for proscribing entry to locations of non secular worship.
Grushcow mentioned actions from the federal government are wanted, noting the arson try is the second time her synagogue was focused. Final spring, a swastika was spray-painted on the temple, however Grushcow mentioned these acts is not going to cease the group from gathering.
“Temple will do what we do finest: reside a thriving, inclusive, joyous Jewish life,” she mentioned.
Friday Shabbat companies will proceed as scheduled, she added.
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