Prime Minister Mark Carney is speaking out after two Jewish restaurants in Toronto were targeted by gunfire over the weekend. “I am appalled by the targeting of two Kiva’s Bagel Bar locations — fixtures of Toronto’s Jewish community that have long served as places for people to gather and connect,“ he said in a post on X. “Jewish Canadians should be able to live, work, and worship free from fear, intimidation, and hate. Canada’s government is absolute in our commitment to combatting the scourge of antisemitism.” The Prime Minster went on to say that law enforcement has his “full support as they conduct a thorough investigation and hold those responsible to account.” Police notified of incidents on Sunday Toronto police said they were notified about the shooting incidents at two Kiva’s locations on Sunday morning. The first one occurred near Bathurst Street and Steeles Avenue West in North York at around 11:15 p.m. on Saturday. Investigators allege a dark-coloured SUV pulled up and moments later, the front glass of the bakery shattered and the vehicle fled southbound on Carpenter Road. The bakery was closed at the time and no injuries have been reported, they said. The second incident occurred in midtown Toronto, near Yonge Street and St. Clair Avenue West, at around 12:15 a.m. on Sunday. Police have since released an image of an SUV they believe is involved in both shooting incidents. The investigation is being led by Toronto police’s Integrated Gun and Gang Task Force, with support from the Hate Crime Unit. Police said it will include an extensive video canvass of both areas. Investigators are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or anyone with dashcam or security footage of the area to contact them at 416-808-2510 or Crime Stoppers anonymously. ‘Incredibly frightening pattern’: councillor During a news conference outside the affected Kiva’s Bagel Bar in North York, Eglinton-Lawrence Coun. Mike Colle said the events over the weekend are part of an “incredibly frightening pattern.” “We really are looking for extraordinary efforts to try and deal with this. The normal processes are not working,” he said. “We need to do something, and that’s why we’re here.” York Centre Coun. James Pasternak and Don Valley West Coun. Rachel Chernos Lin were also in attendance. All three all calling for increased policing and greater involvement from all levels of government to address similar incidents that have taken place across the Greater Toronto Area in recent years. “We must have the political will, and we must have the other two levels of government at the table to put this to an end,” Pasternak said. “We need the resources of the OPP and the RCMP, and the criminal justice system to come together with a united voice to stop this.” Chernos Lin said people in her ward are afraid, adding incidents like these must be stopped. “Our constituents are scared. Their families are scared. Their kids are scared,” she said. “Everyone, including council, need to come together to deal with these incidents. ... We want to see this dealt with once and for all.”
