“Three years ago, at dawn, the terrorist organisation Hamas perpetrated the worst attack against Jewish people since the Holocaust. In Israel, nearly 1,200 were murdered – grandmothers and grandfathers, mothers and fathers, children. Hundreds more people were injured, and well over 200 were taken hostage.

For the families who lost loved ones, the survivors who live with the trauma, and Jewish communities around the world, time has not erased the grief of that day or the absence it left behind.

Today, we remember and pay tribute to those whose lives were taken, including Canadians Vivian Silver, Netta Epstein, Alexandre Look, Judih Weinstein, Shir Georgy, Ben Mizrachi, Adi Vital-Kaploun, Yoav Malayev, and Tiferet Lapidot. We remember them for the lives they lived and the people they loved – and we honour the families and friends who continue to mourn their loss. May their memory be a blessing.

Canada unequivocally condemns Hamas, which must play no role in the future governance of a demilitarised Palestinian state. Our support for Israel’s right to live in peace and security with its neighbours has been at the core of Canada’s Middle East policy for almost 80 years. We stand steadfastly with the Israeli people in their pursuit of a safe and secure Israel as part of a two-state solution.

Since October 7, 2023, Jewish communities across our country have faced a devastating resurgence of antisemitism. Every Jewish Canadian has the right to be visibly, fully, joyfully Jewish in public life – at school, at work, on the street, in synagogue, in every place that is theirs because Canada is theirs.

We are renewing our commitment to strengthen public safety and combat hate, with new laws and resources to stop extremism before it takes root, and with new protection for the synagogues, schools, and community centres at the heart of Jewish life.

Today, we stand with everyone mourning a loved one, and all those still living with the grief of October 7. To Jewish Canadians, our commitment is unwavering. You have the right to live safely, openly, and freely. Canada is your home. Your country stands with you.”