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Dozens of provincial public officials from all parties joined members of Canada’s Jewish community at Queen's Park this afternoon to commemorate Yom HaShoah, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and recommit to the vow of "Never again."

Co-hosted by Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner, the emotional ceremony honoured the six million Jewish women, men and children murdered by the Nazis during the Shoah and served as a reminder of the need to stand up against antisemitism.

Following Holocaust survivor Pinchas Gutter's powerful testimony, Premier Doug Ford, Kerzner, Leader of the Official Opposition Marit Stiles, MPP John Fraser, Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner and Minister of Education Stephen Lecce shared compelling remarks.

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"At the best of times, this is an extremely difficult day for the Jewish people as we grapple with the enormity of the Holocaust," FSWC President and CEO Michael Levitt told those in attendance. "This year is even more painful for us as we mark Yom HaShoah in the shadow of the atrocities of October 7, the worst slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust, and the global antisemitic onslaught we have faced since then."

Premier Ford expressed deep concern over the rise in antisemitism in the province, particularly as seen at anti-Israel protests. "Everyone is allowed to protest peacefully... The hatred I have seen at these protests, I've never seen before in my entire 59 years of living here in Toronto."

FSWC is thankful to Premier Ford and other party leaders, all ministers and MPPs and members of our community who were in attendance to commemorate this solemn day and stand in solidarity against antisemitism. May the memories of the six million Jewish lives lost in the Holocaust forever be a blessing.

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