By Canadian Press

Montreal mayor denounces vandalism of synagogue defaced with antisemitic graffiti

Mar 29, 2023 | 12:43 PM

Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante is expressing her support for the city’s Jewish community after a historic synagogue was defaced with antisemitic graffiti.

Plante says there’s no place in Montreal for discrimination and racism, adding that the city is working hard to ensure everyone’s safety.

Her comments come after Jewish organization B’nai Brith Canada circulated photos that showed swastikas spray-painted on the 102-year-old Bagg Street Synagogue.

B’nai Brith Canada’s national director for its human rights league also sent a letter to Plante’s administration, asking them to do more to combat antisemitism and a rise in reported hate incidents targeting Jews.

Marvin Rotrand says the red-brick property on Bagg Street is the province’s oldest active synagogue building and is recognized as a heritage site by Quebec and Montreal.

Raiders AGM

Raiders impact on Prince Albert local economy continues to go up: AGM report

17h ago

Court proceedings

'The impact of this trauma will echo for generations': court case surrounding La Ronge woman's death reaches conclusion

Dec 11, 2024

Going Global

P.A.'s Zablocki named to Team Canada for U18 Women's World Championships

Dec 11, 2024

Montreal police say they’re aware of the incident, and a number of other Jewish organizations, including Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, have issued statements condemning the vandalism.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 29, 2023.

Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press