Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow Apologizes for Missing Oct. 7 Vigil Amid Controversy
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has expressed regret over her absence from a vigil commemorating the first anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks. In an interview, Chow acknowledged her desire to mourn with the Jewish community but attributed her absence to miscommunication with her office.
Organizers reported reaching out to Chow’s office ahead of the event, receiving no response. Chow later stated her staff did not receive an invitation and that an investigation is underway to determine what went wrong. Approximately 20,000 people attended the vigil in North York, including notable figures such as Ontario Premier Doug Ford and several city councilors.
Chow explained that she got caught up in a lengthy meeting about bike lanes, which affected her ability to attend the vigil. She stated, “I should have been there,” and acknowledged the emotional weight of the event, recalling her presence at a previous commemoration. Despite her explanations, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) criticized her response as an attempt to evade accountability, citing multiple invitations sent to her office.
Chow emphasized her commitment to addressing rising antisemitism and maintaining safety for all communities in Toronto. She announced plans to strengthen communication with CIJA to avoid future miscommunications.
Source: Swifteradio.com
