In Montreal, two synagogues alerted police “about the threats,” said police spokesman Benoit Boisselle, adding that a “hate crime” investigation has been launched.
Four other synagogues in Toronto, others in Kingston and Hamilton, Ontario; and another in Edmonton, Alberta received antisemitic messages saying the “Jewry must perish” alongside a swastika and a bleeding star of David, according to the Canadian branch of B’nai Brith.
“Sadly, we’ve seen the swastika make something of a comeback this year, defacing the walls of high schools, university campuses, and public property,” said the group’s president Michael Mostryn.
“Today, it is more imperative than ever that we condemn this symbol of racism and hatred.”
Mosques in Canada have also recently been desecrated, and extreme right-wing groups in Quebec have marched to protest against immigration.