Letter to Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto, from Lawrence and Monique Korson, December 9, 2025, requesting the Mayor take leadership in a conference of Canadian mayors to address antisemitism

Dear Mayor Chow,

I am writing to you as a deeply concerned citizen regarding the significant rise in antisemitism that Toronto and the GTA have experienced in recent months. Members of the Jewish community — along with many other Torontonians — are increasingly anxious about their safety, their inclusion, and their place in the civic fabric of our city.

Many in the community feel a profound disappointment in the response of Toronto’s leadership. The expectation has always been that the Mayor of Canada’s largest and most diverse city would stand firmly, visibly, and unequivocally against hate in all its forms, especially when it threatens the well-being of an entire community. When antisemitism goes unchecked or insufficiently addressed, it sends a troubling message that this form of hatred is somehow tolerated or negotiable.

This is not the Toronto we believe in, nor is it the Toronto we wish to hand to future generations.

Yet there is an opportunity — a meaningful, constructive one — to reverse this trajectory.

As Mayor of Toronto, you are uniquely positioned to lead a national municipal response to antisemitism. I urge you to convene mayors from across Canada to develop coordinated strategies, share best practices, and demonstrate a united front against the spread of hate. Antisemitism is not a localized issue; it is a growing national challenge with direct municipal consequences. Left unaddressed, it does not remain confined to one group —  like a cancer, it seeps into broader society and emboldens hatred in its many forms. It has a direct impact on the well-being of municipal communities.

We are already seeing how hostility and intimidation affect other communities and institutions, including faith groups of various backgrounds. When one form of hatred grows, others inevitably follow. A proactive, collective municipal response is therefore essential not only for the Jewish community, but for the health, harmony, and safety of all Canadians.

Mayor Chow, Toronto has always prided itself on being a city of inclusion, dignity, and mutual respect. I urge you to reaffirm those values by taking strong, visible leadership on this issue. The Jewish community — and indeed communities across this country — need to see that their leaders are prepared to firmly act.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your willingness to take a stand against rising hate. I hope you will seize this opportunity to lead the way. Your response is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Monique and Lawrence Korson