Canadian political leaders from every level of government condemned the Friday beating of a Montreal Jewish man in front of his children, with Montreal Mayor Valeri Plante saying Saturday that the Montreal Police Service was investigating the Villeray–Saint-Michel–Parc-Extension incident.
Prime Minister Mark Carney said on Saturday that he offered support to law enforcement in their efforts to catch the attacker.
"The attack on a Jewish father in Montreal late yesterday, in front of his own children, is an appalling act of violence," Carney said on X. "Everyone in Canada has an inalienable right to live in safety."
Carney offered his thoughts to the victim, who had been seen being pummeled on the ground in a video published on social media by hassidic activist Mayer Feig. Feig's video showed the attacker on top of the Jewish man, repeatedly punching him in the face until the father managed to push the perpetrator away with his legs. As one of the three children attempted to help their father to his feet, the attacker flung the victim's kippa into a fountain.
Feig criticized police on X for allegedly arriving at the scene of the crime an hour after the incident, and online critics, such as former Canadian ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici, lambasted Carney for issuing a statement a day after the attack.
On Friday evening, opposition leader Pierre Poilievre urged anyone with relevant information to contact the police.
"This is appalling and unacceptable," Poilievre said on social media. "No family should have to live in fear in Canada. We must stop the antisemitism that has exploded in our communities."
Mount Royal Liberal Party Parliament Member Anthony Housefather urged the SPVM to move quickly to catch the attacker and to keep the public apprised of their progress.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault said on X Saturday that he was "deeply shocked by the violent assault," hoping that justice would "be served."
Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi accused Carney of weak leadership that allowed brutal behavior to fester, noting that his Montreal suburb had invested in increasing its public security budget to protect citizens.
Canadian Jewish groups blast authorities for wave of violence against Jews
Canadian Jewish groups also expressed dismay about the failure of authorities to stem the continued trend of violence against Jewish citizens.
"What else needs to happen for authorities to take note of the rise in antisemitism? Words are not enough," Federation Combined Jewish Appeal (CJA) said in a Sunday statement. "There must be concrete steps taken to ensure the safety of our community."
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said on social media on Saturday that "thoughts and prayers" were no longer enough and that "authorities must hold the attacker accountable, and leaders at all levels of government must confront this dangerous escalation."