The CBC‘s French-language network, Radio-Canada, apologized and indefinitely suspended one of its reporters on Tuesday, a day after antisemitic remarks were made during a television broadcast.
On the show “Sur Le Terrain,” Washington correspondent Élisa P. Serret declared that “the Israelis, in fact, the Jews, finance a lot of American politics.” The journalist also claimed that they control “a big machine,” and that major cities and Hollywood are “run by Jews.”
According to a statement released by Radio-Canada on its website, the analysis by Serret led to “stereotypical, antisemitic, erroneous and prejudicial allegations against Jewish communities.”
“These unacceptable comments violate Radio-Canada’s Journalistic Standards and Practices and in no way reflect the opinion of the public broadcaster. As a result, the News department has decided to relieve the journalist of her duties until further notice,” the public broadcaster said.
“We recognize that these comments have offended many viewers. We sincerely apologize to them and to the Jewish community,” the statement continued.
The actions by Radio-Canada took place after The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs exposed the offending remarks on social media, writing on X in a Monday post that “antisemitism is absolutely unacceptable on Canadian airwaves, especially on our public broadcaster.”
CIJA said they expected “immediate and unequivocal condemnation” from Ottawa, including from Canadian Identity and Culture Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Antisemitism is absolutely unacceptable on Canadian airwaves, especially on our public broadcaster. Yet these words were aired earlier today on @iciradiocanada:
— CIJA (@CIJAinfo) September 16, 2025
"It's the Jews who finance a lot of American politics"
"The big cities are run by Jews"
"Hollywood is run by Jews"… https://t.co/qhMbpANMsC
In a statement on Tuesday posted to his X account, Guilbeault condemned the “pernicious antisemitic tropes” that “have absolutely no place on Canadian airwaves.”
“When antisemitic language is used by journalists, or anyone in a position of trust, it risks normalizing hatred in deeply dangerous ways,” Guilbealt continued. “Jewish Canadians deserve to feel safe, supported, and accepted, and to live openly and proudly Jewish lives, without intimidation or fear.”
Meanwhile, Halifax Regional Police have arrested a suspect in connection with antisemitic vandalism last weekend in the eastern Canadian city.
Gezim Topalli, 31, was arrested in his Halifax home on Tuesday and charged with three counts of mischief related to religious property, three counts of property damage and one count of public incitement of hatred, according to Wednesday’s statement.
His arrest follows an investigation into six antisemitic graffiti messages found around the provincial capital of Nova Scotia, including three written directly on Jewish sites—Shaar Shalom and Beth Israel synagogues and a building associated with Chabad-Lubavitch of the Maritimes Rohr Family Institute. Three other incidents were on nearby sidewalks.
The graffiti included a Nazi swastika and the words “Jews did 9/11.”
Police had released a photo of the suspect earlier this week, asking the public for help in identifying him.
“I am pleased with the outcome of this investigation. While I credit the quick and thorough work of HRP’s hate crime investigator, I also want to thank the public who came forward to help identify the suspect,” said Chief Don MacLean. “The swift and seamless collaboration between police and the community represents our city taking a strong and unified stance against the promotion of hatred.”
