John Rustad’s Conservative Party of British Columbia is blaming David Eby’s NDP government for allowing antisemitism to proliferate in the province.
Following a nationwide bomb threat against over 100 Jewish institutions, B.C. Conservatives are blaming Eby’s B.C. NDP for failing to confront antisemitism, allowing anti-Jewish hate to rise in B.C. and its government.
In a statement posted on X by the B.C Conservatives, Rustad “strongly criticized” Eby’s government for its “ongoing failure to protect the Jewish community” as antisemitism escalates into attempts to intimidate several Jewish institutions in B.C. and around Canada.
The post noted the bomb threats as well as the recent attack involving an incendiary device at a Vancouver synagogue as evidence for the apparent failure of the government to confront the rising antisemitism problem.
“These threats are part of a disturbing trend of rising antisemitism and the B.C. NDP’s lack of response is appalling,” Rustad said in the statement. “The recent attack on a Vancouver synagogue and the wave of bomb threats across the country are clear signs that the Jewish community is under threat, yet David Eby’s administration remains woefully unprepared and indifferent.”
According to a Vancouver Police Department report on hate crimes, out of the 265 hate crime reports that VPD investigated in 2023, 18%, 47, were antisemitic hate crimes. This represents a 62% rise in Vancouver from the previous year when 23 were reported. Out of the 47 hate crimes reported that targeted the Jewish community 33 were reported after the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.
“I’ve been made aware that multiple synagogues in BC were targeted by a bomb threat. BC unequivocally stands against antisemitism,” Eby said in a post on X. “Our Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth is working with police agencies to address threats and keep people safe.”
In his own statement, Farnsworth called the coordinated bomb threat “heinous,” though he did not respond to True North’s request to comment.
Rustad pointed to comments made by former BC NDP MLA Selina Robinson in March, who raised concerns about antisemitism in her caucus and province at large before resigning from the party.
“Selina was forced out of your caucus because your NDP allowed anti-Jewish hate and antisemitism to flourish unchecked,” Rustad said in a separate post on X. “BC and hardworking, everyday British Columbians stand against antisemitism — your BC NDP is part of the problem.”
“When even members of the BC NDP are raising alarms about antisemitism within their own ranks, it’s clear that this government is failing its duty to all British Columbians,” Rustad added in the statement released by his party on X.
B.C. Conservative Party restated its commitment to confronting antisemitism “head-on” and “ensuring that every community feels safe.”
Rustad called on the B.C. government to “immediately bolster security measures, support law enforcement and address the serious concerns raised within its own party.”
The office of the Premier did not respond to True North’s requests to comment.