Visiting the Monument is an opportunity to reflect on Canada’s troubled history of antisemitism and on the difficulties many Jews faced in reaching Canadian shores, even as refugees from Nazism. Canadian society has changed significantly since the days of “none is too many,” when Jewish immigration was curbed and Jewish Canadians were openly discriminated against.
However, in the 21st century, antisemitism is on the rise again in Canada and Jews are often the target of hate crimes, including antisemitic graffiti, vandalism, harassment, online hate, and even physical attacks. The lessons of the Holocaust teach us about the dangers of apathy and inaction in the face of antisemitism, and they continually challenge us to confront racism, hatred, exclusion and persecution at home and abroad.
As you reflect on your visit, think about what you can do to ensure that Canada remains an inclusive and welcoming country for all its citizens.