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In additon to the charge of inciting hatred, police said the man is also facing a charge of unsafe storage of a firearm. (BrianAJackson/Depositphotos.com)
11 month investigation

Man charged with inciting hatred after allegedly making anti-Semitic comments online

Dec 18, 2025 | 5:15 PM

A 45-year-old Saskatoon man is facing a charge of public incitement of hatred after allegedly making anti-Semitic comments online.

According to the Saskatoon Police Service, the man was arrested yesterday after an investigation that began more than 11 months ago.

“In 2024, Saskatoon Police received a complaint about an individual making anti-Semitic comments online,” the police force said in a statement.

“A subsequent investigation by the Hate Crime Unit identified the individual, and a search warrant executed at a residence resulted in the seizure of digital evidence as well as a firearm.”

In addition to the charge of inciting hatred, police said the man is also facing a charge of unsafe storage of a firearm.

He’s expected to appear in Saskatoon Provincial Court on Friday morning, police said.

The police force said its hate crime unit was created back in 2022 to assist officers and investigative units.

“The Unit monitors hate-motivated crime for the purpose of aiding and identifying crimes and criminals, and to assist with sentencing at the end of the judicial process,” police explained.

There has been a global rise in anti-Semitic incidents both in Canada and around the world in the wake of the terrorist attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023 and Israel’s subsequent military operations in Gaza aiming to rescue more than 200 hostages held by Hamas and wipe the terror organization out of existence. The conflict has since been halted by a tenuous ceasefire agreement.

Earlier this year, Noah Shack, interim president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said anti-Semitic acts have left Canadian Jews fearing for their safety.

“We’ve seen synagogues firebombed all across this country, schools shot at in multiple cities. We’ve seen mobs of violent protesters calling for the destruction of the Jewish people, calling for Jews to be sent back to Europe. We’ve seen the flags of terrorist organizations waving proudly while Canadian flags are being burned,” Shack told The Canadian Press. “This is a really distressing time for the Jewish community but I think it should be distressing for all Canadians.”

Over the weekend, a pair of gunmen killed at least 15 people and wounded nearly 40 more after opening fire during a Hanukkah event at Bondi Beach in Australia.

Police shot the two suspected gunmen; the 50-year-old father died at the scene and his 24-year-old son is being treated at a Sydney hospital. He was charged on Wednesday with 59 offences, including murder and committing a terrorist act.

At a menorah lighting event in Saskatoon on Sunday, extra security and an increased police presence were organized in order to keep attendees safe.

– with files from The Canadian Press