FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
16 June 2026
TORONTO, ON. – MPP Stephanie Smyth, MPP for Toronto St. Paul’s, issued the following statement.
The details revealed by Toronto Police today are deeply disturbing. Police allege that anonymous actors are
recruiting young people through encrypted messaging apps, paying them to carry out shootings targeting sites
of Jewish life, including synagogues, Jewish schools, and the U.S. Consulate following escalation in the
middle east. To receive payment, the shooters are reportedly required to film their crimes. This is
unprecedented and terrifying.We still do not know who is directing these attacks. Whether this is organized crime, domestic terrorism, an
international terror network, or some combination of the three, one thing is clear: the threat facing Toronto’s
Jewish community is serious, organized, and unacceptable.The arrests announced today are an important step, and I want to thank Toronto Police, the RCMP, and all law
enforcement agencies involved for their work. We also mourn the loss of Constable Marc Pinizzotto, who
made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. Our deepest condolences are with his family, loved ones,
friends, and colleagues. But arrests alone are not enough.The reality is that nothing Mayor Chow, Premier Ford, or Prime Minister Carney have done so far has been
enough to stop this escalating campaign of hatred and violence. The Jewish community has endured repeated
attacks, threats, and acts of intimidation, and now police are describing coordinated networks paying young
people to carry out shootings on their behalf. This demands an unprecedented response.All levels of government must come together with law enforcement and community leaders to develop and
implement a coordinated strategy to identify those directing these attacks, disrupt their networks, protect
vulnerable institutions, and keep people safe.The question Ontarians should be asking is simple: what are our leaders going to do now?
We stand unequivocally with Toronto’s Jewish community. We condemn antisemitism in all its forms. And we
reaffirm our commitment to making our streets, schools, places of worship, and communities safe for
everyone.