Police investigate after two more Toronto-area synagogues hit by gunfire

Toronto’s Jewish community is on edge after a third synagogue was hit by gunfire in less than a week.

Police are investigating shots being fired at two more synagogues after a similar shooting on Monday.

Sara Lefton, with the United Jewish Appeal Federation of Greater Toronto, said in an interview the community is “shaken to our core.”

“And I think we’re incredibly angry and frustrated, because we’ve seen the progression of this kind of intimidation and hatred over the last few years,” Lefton said.

“Hateful words turn into hateful actions, and we’ve seen it in other parts of the globe. We saw it in Bondi Beach,” where 15 people were shot and killed during a Hanukkah celebration, “and we have seen it elsewhere, and so we should not be surprised when it happens here.”

Toronto police responded to gunshots in the area of Bathurst Street and Glencairn Avenue shortly after midnight Saturday, where they found bullet holes in the doors of the Shaarei Shomayim synagogue.

Earlier, York Region Police responded to gunfire at the Beth Avraham Yoseph of Toronto synagogue in Thornhill. In both cases, the buildings were damaged, but no injuries were reported.

This marks the third reported shooting at a synagogue in the Toronto area, as another was hit by gunfire in the city’s north end Monday night. Officers were called to Temple Emanu-El, where they found bullet casings and damage to the building.

Lefton said these attacks on synagogues represent an attack on Jewish Canadians and the broader society nationwide.

“They are attacks on Canadian society and our ability to live freely and safely in this country. So when we as Jews are targeted, actually, it’s a threat to Canadian society at large,” she said.

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow condemned the shootings on social media Saturday.

“Last night, two synagogues were targeted, in North York and Thornhill. These are disgusting acts of antisemitism, hate and intimidation,” Chow wrote.

Condemnation was widespread Saturday, with many taking to social media to express outrage and concern.

Israel’s ambassador to Canada, Iddo Moed, said in a statement he was shocked by the attacks.

“These cowardly assaults on houses of worship are abhorrent acts of violence that strike at the heart of our shared values—safety, dignity, and freedom of religion.”

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre said the government needs to act.

“The Jewish Community is under attack in Canada,” he wrote on social media. “Government’s core responsibility is the safety of its people. It is time to end this violence once and for all.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 7, 2026.

The Canadian Press