Ontario’s Inspector General of Policing Releases a Notice of Issue on Rising Antisemitism
- ALCCA Staff
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
This week, Ontario's Inspector General of Policing, Ryan Teschner, employed a new oversight mechanism, a Notice of Issue, introduced to identify, monitor and drive improvement relating to policing that, if left unaddressed, could negatively impact community safety and public confidence. The Notice was prompted by data showing a sustained increase in hate-motivated incidents in Ontario between 2020 and 2024, with the Jewish community remaining the most targeted group for religion-based hate crimes in Canada.
To address this critically important issue, the Inspector General convened a meeting on June 15, 2026 to explore how policing of antisemitic and hate-motivated incidents can be strengthened. The meeting brought together police chiefs and police service board leadership from 14 municipal police services, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police and Police Governance Ontario.
In an earlier session, the assembled police leadership heard from several Jewish and community organizations who shared perspectives on patterns of antisemitism in Ontario and factors that contribute to effective policing. Mark Sandler participated in the sessions in a dual role: as Chair of the Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism (ALCCA) and as a member of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police Special Purpose Committee on Hate Crimes.
Sandler addressed police leadership on the issues that continue to impact policing, while acknowledging significant improvements in a number of jurisdictions. He presented a written outline of existing challenges, developed together with Rochelle Direnfeld, ALCCA’s Senior Criminal Counsel.
Here are some of the issues he raised:
The need for enhanced knowledge of the full range of criminal law measures (and municipal measures) to combat antisemitism and other forms of hate. He described the underuse in some jurisdictions of certain tools that are available to police.
The need for enhanced knowledge of contemporary antisemitism, including the demonization of Zionists, and an understanding of the distinction between protected and hate speech and efforts to avoid criminal liability through code-words. He also discussed the use of IHRA as a non-binding tool to guide, not dictate, policing decisions.
The need for specialized training and education focused on these issues with case scenarios that extend to all forms of bias, prejudice and hatred. Such training must also include a better understanding of terror symbols following passage of Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act. Some of the services represented at the sessions have already participated in the training given by ALCCA’s hate crime legal experts.
The need for police to consider the content of hate propaganda during protest activities, and the lessons learned about the impact of such propaganda in inciting and inspiring violence and marginalization. Policing cannot only be about preventing on-scene violence.
The need to address instances involving a disconnect between police and prosecutorial discretion. This issue extends beyond policing and includes the need for expertise by prosecutors in understanding these cases.
The need for appropriate interaction with victims and the community. While victims and the community do not determine how both police and prosecutorial discretion is exercised, their input is critically important to inform decision making and enhance public confidence in the administration of justice. Sandler described shortcomings in this regard, such as the lack of information and support provided to victims, including the disposition of complaints and charges and the terms of bail. There is also a need to inform and consult victims before prosecutorial decisions are made to resolve charges through diversion, peace bonds or negotiated guilty pleas.
The need for consistent approaches to bail terms when crimes are allegedly hate-motivated and to the assembly of materials for sentencing, including robust use of joint community impact statements, which ALCCA organizes.
The need for police service boards to support, in part through public order policies, robust enforcement of the law.
Other Jewish organizations powerfully outlined for police leaders the continuing security challenges facing the Jewish community, and the profound impact of hate crimes targeting Jews and their institutions.
The Inspector General stated that “the sustained rise in antisemitic incidents across Ontario demands a coordinated and consistent response from policing.” This week's Notice of Issue is designed to build on important steps already taken “to identify specific actions that can strengthen policing responses, improve consistency and reinforce public confidence that hate-motivated incidents will be taken seriously and addressed effectively.”
These seven actions are identified in the Notice of Issue:
Improving the identification and tracking of antisemitic hate through consistent classification practices to strengthen data and evidence-based policing.
Centralization of policing functions that strengthen investigations and victim response through a multidisciplinary approach.
Promoting consistent application of release conditions for individuals charged with hate-motivated offences.
Enhancing supervisory oversight of hate-motivated investigations.
Expanding support for victims and communities, and the use of community impact statements.
Consistent training on contemporary antisemitism and the legal and other tools to respond.
Strengthening police board oversight, prioritization, and public reporting on hate-related issues.
We commend this initial step taken by the Inspector General. The action items resonate with those issues identified by ALCCA. We look forward to the continuing engagement of the Inspector General in examining the impact of these actions and working collaboratively with police and the community to introduce further improvements in policing and governance responses.