Montreal synagogue spray painted with swastikas
This article contains images of swastikas spraypainted on a synagogue.
Montreal police (SPVM) say its hate crimes division is investigating after a synagogue in the Plateau-Mont-Royal neighbourhood was defaced with antisemitic graffiti.
Swastikas were spray painted on Bagg Street Shul sometime over the weekend, said synagogue president Michael Kaplan on Tuesday.
Kaplan says it’s the first time he’s seen something like this in his 15-year history with the synagogue on Clark Street, though he does not see it as a sign of rising antisemitism.
Photos of the graffiti circulated widely on social media.
Marvin Rotrand, former Montreal councillor and national director of B’nai Brith’s league for human rights. sent a letter to the city, calling for more action against antisemitism.
"While the congregation is small, the synagogue evokes Jewish history in Montreal and the attack on it causes dismay in the community," the letter reads.
He urged city council to publicly denounce the vandalism and mark the upcoming Yom Hashoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day.
"We recommend a declaration to mark Yom Hashoah be inscribed on the April 18 City Council meeting. We also propose that the practice introduced by Mayor Gerald Tremblay of inviting the Jewish community to City Hall so that the names of victims of the Holocaust be read be reinstated."
The synagogue Bagg Street Shul in Montreal was defaced with swastikas in March 2023. (CTV News)
In a tweet, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs says it has "reported the incident to law enforcement and will continue working with them to ensure the safety and security of the Jewish community."
Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante expressed her support for the city's Jewish community, adding that there's no place in Montreal for discrimination and racism. Plante said the city is working hard to ensure everyone's safety.
With files form the Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.
Special rapporteur David Johnston’s office hired crisis communications firm Navigator
Special rapporteur David Johnston has hired crisis communications firm Navigator, his office confirmed on Friday.
Here's what Nova Scotia's wildfires look like from outer space
Photos released by NASA taken from International Space Station show the immense scale of the wildfires in Nova Scotia, with billowing smoke engulfing the landscape.
Air Canada should face more consequences after two disruptions in a week, consumer advocate says
An airline consumer advocate says Air Canada should face tougher consequences for stranding passengers after two disruptions in a week.
Canada's 'unprecedented' fire season linked to climate change, will be the new normal: scientists
At the moment, wildfires are burning across six provinces and one territory in Canada — and they’re still spreading in what’s being called an unprecedented fire season. While firefighters work tirelessly to battle the merciless flames and prevent further destruction, scientists say the wildfires are linked to climate change and that this will be the new normal.
'Utterly disgusting': Canadian Army sergeant fined for 'anti-Jewish' comments
A 38-year-old sergeant in the Canadian Army was fined $3,000 and issued a severe reprimand after he made what a military judge described as 'utterly disgusting' anti-Jewish comments while conducting an infantry training course in 2021.
Experts warn of 'rapid' growth of IBD as number of Canadians diagnosed set to reach 470K by 2035
The number of people in Canada with inflammatory bowel disease is increasing rapidly and is expected to grow to 470,000 by 2035, according to a new report from Crohn's and Colitis Canada.
'Many, many lives turned upside down' by wildfires: N.S. premier
Nova Scotia’s premier says the “historic” wildfires in the province have caused a “breath-taking amount of damage.”
Trudeau raises Poland's democratic backsliding as prime minister visits Toronto
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he raised concerns about reports that LGBTQ2S+ rights and democracy are under threat in Poland during a Friday visit with its prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, in Toronto.
Toronto
-
Notorious serial killer Paul Bernardo moved to medium-security prison in Quebec
Notorious serial rapist and killer Paul Bernardo was moved to a medium-security prison in Quebec this week.
-
Man in life-threatening condition after stabbing at Kennedy TTC station
A man is in hospital after being stabbed at Kennedy Station, police say.
-
3 men allegedly part of 'MS-13' street gang charged with shooting of Schomberg dog walker
Three Toronto men have been charged with attempted murder after they allegedly shot an innocent dog walker in Schomberg, Ont. in a case of mistaken identity.
Atlantic
-
'Many, many lives turned upside down' by wildfires: N.S. premier
Nova Scotia’s premier says the “historic” wildfires in the province have caused a “breath-taking amount of damage.”
-
Man found dead inside Halifax Tim Hortons
A man has been found dead inside a Tim Hortons in Halifax.
-
Man walks into police station, confesses to homicide: N.S. RCMP
A man has been charged with first-degree murder in the homicide of a 62-year-old woman in Labelle, N.S.
London
-
When WSIB moves its headquarters to London, Ont., will the office be downtown?
Multiple sources have told CTV News that the WSIB is now eyeing the 3M building at 300 Tartan Dr. near Veterans Memorial Parkway as a new headquarters.
-
WANTED: Lucas Townsend, 27
Around 8 p.m. on Wednesday, officers responded to two separate calls where citizens believed they heard gunshots in the 100 block of Albert Street near Talbot Street.
-
Lucas Secondary School students raise more than $125k in their own Relay For Life
Some 700 students took to the track at A.B. Lucas Secondary School in North London, Ont. Friday to take part in a student led Relay For Life.
Northern Ontario
-
Highway 11 reopens between Kapuskasing and Hearst
Highway 11 has reopened between Kapuskasing and Hearst after a two-vehicle collision Friday morning.
-
Three charged in northern Ont. for having campfire during fire ban
Three people have been charged this week after having campfires during the fire ban and one person could be fined up to $25,000 or face jail time.
-
Sewing needles found at 2nd Bracebridge beach, prompting closure
A popular beach in Bracebridge is open to the public two days after sewing needles were found in the water, but a second beach has since closed over safety concerns.
Calgary
-
Lucky duckies saved after falling down Calgary storm drain
Eight fuzzy ducklings were rescued from a precarious situation on Friday, thanks to Calgary police and workers from the City of Calgary.
-
Moraine Lake mandatory shuttle access starts up
It's the start of a new season at Moraine Lake and for the first time, you will have to take a shuttle bus to access the famous landmark -- no matter how early you're willing to show up.
-
Boil water advisory in effect for 3 Calgary communities
Three southwest Calgary communities are under a boil water advisory due to a watermain break Thursday afternoon at a nearby construction site.
Kitchener
-
Woman airlifted after crash near Wallenstein
A woman in her 80s has been rushed to hospital with critical injuries after a crash near Wallenstein, according to Ornge Air Ambulance.
-
Ont. seniors’ home adopts pair of ducklings for animal therapy program
A long-term care home in Fergus, Ont. has adopted two ducklings as part of an animal therapy program to give its residents a sense of purpose.
-
Family escapes from burning Cambridge home, two cats killed in fire
A family of three is safe after they escaped a fire at their Cambridge home. Neighbours described the flames as "unbelievable."
Vancouver
-
'Quite frustrating': B.C. man still waiting for EV ordered in 2020
A B.C. man who put a deposit down on an electric vehicle in 2020 is still waiting to learn when it will arrive.
-
Dry conditions prompt wildfire, drought concerns in B.C.
There is little relief for British Columbia's wildfire fight in the immediate forecast.
-
Fiery ultralight plane crash in Surrey seriously injures one person
One person has been taken to hospital with serious injuries after an ultralight aircraft crashed and caught on fire in Surrey Friday afternoon.
Edmonton
-
'The biggest cheerleaders': Dedicated group help keep Ryan Shtuka's story alive five years later
Brought together by kindness and heartbreak, a group of women is helping an Alberta mother make sure her missing son is never forgotten.
-
Edmonton teen bystander shot in downtown shooting during 'altercation': police
A teen bystander was shot during an altercation outside the Edmonton Convention Centre Thursday evening, police say.
-
Child killed in pedestrian collision in Grande Prairie Friday: RCMP
A child is dead after being hit by a trailer in Grande Prairie on Friday.
Windsor
-
Traffic complaint leads to arrest in Tecumseh
Essex County OPP officers found an abandoned vehicle on the shoulder of Highway 401 Westbound East Provincial Road.
-
Defence concludes closing summations in Windsor murder trial
The defence has completed its closing summations in an ongoing Windsor murder trial involving the shooting death of 20-year-old Madisen Gingras in April of 2020.
-
“It was greatly appreciated”: Customers clear out construction zone bakery
Shoppers with a sweet tooth completely sold out a small town bakery in the Town of Essex recently, while streetscape construction continues in front of the Essex Centre store.
Regina
-
Riders beat Bombers in pre-season finale
The Saskatchewan Roughriders edged the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-16 in their final pre-season test.
-
City officials ask drivers to avoid flooded underpasses as more rain on the way
The City of Regina has a three-phase approach to address the flooding that occurs at the downtown underpasses during most heavy rainfalls, including Thursday night’s storm.
-
Regina Police Service therapy dog, Merlot, officially retires
Eight years ago, the Regina Police Service (RPS) embarked on a facility dog program. Now, one of its first recruits officially retired from her career.
Ottawa
-
Iranian family living in Ottawa can stay in Canada for now but still can’t work
Despite losing their status, an Iranian family living in Ottawa for several years can stay in Canada for now, a government department said Friday.
-
Man arrested after hidden camera found in washroom at Gatineau, Que. elementary school
Gatineau police arrested an 18-year-old man in connection to the investigation into a hidden camera discovered in the washroom at an elementary school.
-
HEAT WARNING
HEAT WARNING | Hottest June 2 in Ottawa history, with relief on the way this weekend
A heat warning and a severe thunderstorm watch are in effect for Ottawa. Relief from the hot and humid temperatures is on the way for the weekend.
Saskatoon
-
Saskatoon students say high school is censoring Pride week
Students at a Catholic school in Saskatoon say their high school is restricting and censoring Pride week celebrations.
-
Woman pleads guilty to Prince Albert community centre arson
A woman has pleaded guilty to starting a fire that burned down a Prince Albert community centre.
-
'I feel lucky to be around': Saskatoon shoe store celebrates 40 years on Broadway
For 40 years, Saskatchewan residents have been bringing their shoes into Broadway Shoe Repair for a fix or in search of a new pair of shoes.