Global Affairs Canada says it is “not aware” of any Canadian citizens impacted in an attack on an Australian beach on Sunday.
The federal agency said consular officials were ready to help any Canadians who were affected, and are working with their counterparts to gather information.
Sixteen people are dead after two shooters attacked a Hanukkah celebration on a popular beach in Sydney. Australia’s prime minister has called the incident on Bondi Beach an act of antisemitic terrorism.
In a statement to CTV News, a Global Affairs spokesperson said, “Canada is horrified by the terror attack today on Bondi Beach in Australia. Our thoughts are with all those affected by this tragedy, as well as with the friends and family of the victims.”
Prime Minister Mark Carney is among the Canadian officials who have since spoken about the attack, writing that he was “horrified” by the incident.
“Canada stands with the people of Australia and Jewish people everywhere in sorrow, and determination not to bow to terrorism, violence, hatred and intimidation,” he posted on social media.
“Hanukkah is a time of light amidst the darkness, and a remembrance of the resilience of the Jewish people. May we all support and strengthen that resilience to protect our Jewish communities and to ensure more fundamentally that all people can thrive in every aspect of our society.”
Speaking later at a menorah lighting ceremony in Ottawa on Sunday evening, Carney reflected on the long history of resilience within Jewish communities.
“The resilience of the Maccabees — that spirit — tragically and sadly has had to be drawn upon for millennia,” he said, adding it has been drawn upon “shamefully and persistently” in recent years in Canada.
Carney said Canada “is not Canada, unless all members of the Jewish community can fully participate in all aspects of Canadian life,” vowing that the federal government would continue to stand with Jewish communities.
“The government will always stand with you,” he said. “I will not rest until we’ve moved from protection to true thriving.”
Other Canadian leaders condemned the violence in statements released Sunday, including Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller.
“This evening at sundown, Jewish communities in Canada and around the world should have been celebrating the start of Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights. Instead, they are grieving the lives that were taken during a tragic antisemitic terror attack in Australia, at a Hannukah event on Bondi Beach,” Miller wrote Sunday.
“Tonight, as families and friends gather after sunset for eight nights to light the candles of the Hanukkiah, our government reinforces its support to Australia and to Jewish communities around the world to help bring more brightness during this difficult time.”
