Statement by Minister Miller on Rosh Hashanah

OTTAWA, September 11, 2026

The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, made the following statement:

”Rosh Hashanah invites people to reflect on the year that has just ended and the year ahead. Beginning at sundown this evening, Jewish communities in Canada and throughout the world come together to celebrate the Jewish New Year. It’s also the beginning of the High Holy Days, a time of reflection, renewal and hope, which concludes with Yom Kippur.

This occasion is also a time when families in Jewish communities come together in synagogues to pray and listen to the sound of the shofar, an instrument symbolizing spiritual renewal. Celebrations follow, with traditional meals, notably with apples dipped in honey, which is a custom meant to usher in a year filled with promise and hope.

Rosh Hoshana is also a time to reaffirm the values that unite us as Canadians. As antisemitism is on the rise in Canada and throughout the world, with the conflicts and instability that can sometimes divide us, we must remain united more than ever before.

Over the past year, we have implemented important measures to strengthen public security and combat antisemitism as well as hatred in our communities. We are also strengthening the Canada Community Security Program to help communities increase safety measures in their community spaces and places of worship. Also, the Prime Minister called for the new Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion, to begin work on fighting the rise of antisemitism.

In Canada, no one should have to choose between freely practising their faith and traditions and feeling safe.

At the dawn of this new year, I’d like to offer my best wishes for peace, health, happiness and hope to everyone celebrating Rosh Hashanah. Shana Tova U’metuka! “