Ottawa police are investigating a recent incident of anti-Semitic hate in Ottawa.

On Monday morning, police were called to Laurier Avenue West and Elgin Street to investigate anti-Semitic graffiti sprayed on the sign for the Ottawa Courthouse and Land Registry Offices. The graffiti depicted a Swastika painted over the Ontario trillium.

This is the most recent incident in a series of hateful acts directed toward Ottawa’s Jewish community. Ottawa police are also investigating eight more incidents of posters displaying anti-Semitic rhetoric. The posters have been sighted across the city, in Kanata, Barrhaven and, most recently, at a skatepark in Nepean.

Andrea Freedman, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation of Ottawa (JFO), called the incidents “deeply concerning.” According to Freedman, the posters cite anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and tropes which “appear in the darkest corners of the internet.”

“Somebody actually pays and takes the time to print and laminate them and put them up around town just to upset people,” said Freedman.

In a 2018 survey conducted by the Simon Wiesenthal Foundation (SWP), 11.7 per cent—over one tenth—of Ontario residents surveyed responded that they believe Jewish people talk too much about the Holocaust. Over 14 per cent of Ontarians said they believe Jewish people have too much influence in the business world.

Freedman said the persistence of anti-Semitism in Canada is “a manifestation of a lack of understanding and a lack of knowledge,” but the best way to combat anti-Semitic ideals is through education.

“I think that our government has taken some really helpful actions, but I think that there's a lot of work still to be done,” said Freedman. “I think it's very clear that greater education is required, and that it's something that should be done nationally and systematically to develop a curriculum that can be implemented across the country.”

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa has advised people who see anti-Semitic posters or graffiti not to touch them in order to preserve them as evidence. In a joint statement from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and the JFO, Freedman urged all Canadians to “stand strong against the dangers of anti-Semitism.”

“Immediately contact the non-emergency line of the police,” said Freedman. “Allow the police to come and investigate it. Report it so that we can continue to track the number of hate crimes in our city and in our country.”

On Tuesday, a press release from the Ottawa police stated that they are asking the public for help in identifying a suspect following the vandalism at Ottawa's courthouse.

Freedman said she is grateful for the investigative work done by the Ottawa police hate crime unit. She said she wants to remind people that the “vast majority of Canadians” welcome and appreciate diversity, and that “hatred of any kind” has no place in Canada.

Anyone who has information regarding these incidents, or regarding the identity of the suspect, is asked to contact the Ottawa police hate crime unit at 613-236-1222, ext. 5015.

Listen to the CHUO story below: