The new leader of the Canadian Democratic Party, Jagmeet Singh, called on Canadians to make more efforts to enhance community safety and security amid increasing reports of hate crimes during the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.

The new leader of the Canadian Democratic Party said - in a press statement - that people need a space to express their concerns and their political opinions without inciting hateful behavior. Singh said in a phone call from Toronto, "I think we can be better as a country." 

He added, "We need to get to a place where we respect each other, a place where we can be who we are, and we can celebrate our identity without fear."
He continued that he recently spoke to Jewish and Muslim Canadians who expressed their concerns about their safety amid rising hate-motivated violence and who are worried about wearing religious symbols that are part of their identity. 

Singh said, "They fear for their children wearing anything that identifies them as Jewish." He continued that he heard members of the Muslim community describe the current climate as a "reminder of post-9/11," a time of great "suspicion and negativity."