Canadian Universities Prepare for October 7 Protests as Communities Mark Third Anniversary of Hamas Attacks

By: Ebenezer Adugyamfi & Emmanuel Ayiku for GhanaianNewsCanada
7 October 2026

Universities and communities across Canada’s largest cities are preparing for demonstrations, commemorations and heightened security as the country marks the third anniversary of the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on Israel.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrations are planned around major university campuses in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, while Jewish communities across the country are holding vigils and memorial events to remember those killed and taken hostage during the attacks.

The anniversary has again placed Canadian universities at the centre of an increasingly contentious debate over the Israel-Gaza conflict, with competing groups preparing events that reflect sharply different perspectives on the war and its consequences.

At the same time, police and university officials are preparing for possible disruptions and concerns about hate-motivated incidents.

Protests Planned at Major Universities

At the University of Toronto, pro-Palestinian groups have been planning an event described as an “honouring our martyrs” gathering at the university’s downtown campus.

The university has told student groups associated with the planned demonstration that the event should not take place on campus.

University officials have cited safety concerns, including potential risks to participants and members of the wider university community. They have also pointed to online promotion of counter-protests taking place at the same time.

Toronto police have said officers will be present to monitor events around the campus.

The situation follows previous demonstrations at the university and other Canadian campuses since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war.

McGill University Enhances Security

In Montreal, demonstrations are expected around McGill University, another campus that has become a focal point for protests over the conflict.

McGill officials say they have been communicating with the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) ahead of a planned pro-Palestinian rally near the university’s gates.

The university says its security team will increase staffing and that intervention teams will be available to respond to unauthorized occupations, property damage, safety concerns or significant disruptions to university operations.

McGill has previously experienced significant demonstrations connected to the Israel-Gaza conflict.

In October 2024, the university restricted access to portions of its campus and asked some professors to move classes online because of concerns about potential disruption surrounding the first anniversary of the October 7 attacks.

Protests Also Planned in Vancouver

At the University of British Columbia, officials say two pro-Palestinian groups are organizing gatherings on campus.

UBC spokeswoman Thandi Fletcher said the university is aware of the planned events and will have security measures in place.

The extent of police monitoring has not been publicly detailed, but university officials say they are preparing for the possibility of disruptions.

Vancouver is also hosting a separate commemoration for victims of the October 7 attacks. A vigil organized by Vancouver Stands With Israel is scheduled at the Vancouver Art Gallery plaza on October 7.

Why the Demonstrations Are Controversial

The timing and language surrounding some of the demonstrations have drawn criticism from Jewish organizations.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) has criticized the use of the word “martyrs” in connection with an October 7 protest, arguing that the terminology can be interpreted as glorifying Hamas and the October 7 attacks.

Organizers of the Toronto event have offered a different explanation, saying their reference to martyrs is directed at Palestinians killed during Israel’s military campaign in Gaza rather than the people killed during the October 7 attack.

That disagreement reflects one of the central tensions surrounding the demonstrations: supporters of the Palestinian cause say their protests are intended to draw attention to Palestinian deaths and suffering, while Jewish organizations and others argue that demonstrations held on the anniversary of the Hamas attack can be insensitive to victims and survivors.

The distinction between criticism of the Israeli government and hostility toward Jewish people has also become an important part of the debate.

Jewish Communities Mark Three Years Since the Attack

Jewish communities across Canada are holding commemorations to remember those killed on October 7, 2023.

The Hamas-led attack killed approximately 1,200 people in Israel and resulted in around 250 people being taken hostage, according to widely cited figures. Hamas is designated a terrorist organization by the Canadian government.

The attack triggered Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza, which has resulted in tens of thousands of Palestinian deaths and widespread destruction.

Three years later, the conflict continues to have consequences well beyond the Middle East, including significant effects on Jewish and Palestinian communities in Canada.

Rising Security Concerns

Canadian Jewish organizations say the security environment has changed considerably since October 7, 2023.

Recent reporting by The Canadian Press found that Jewish Canadians have faced increased security concerns, including attacks against synagogues, Jewish schools and individuals. Toronto police have also reported hundreds of arrests and more than a thousand charges connected to demonstrations, protests and hate-motivated offences involving Jewish communities since the start of the conflict.

The Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS) has also warned that the Israel-Hamas conflict has contributed to extremist narratives and the potential radicalization of individuals.

Jewish community leaders have consequently called for increased protection around schools, synagogues and community events.

At the same time, Palestinian and Muslim communities have reported concerns about Islamophobia and hostility directed toward people who express support for Palestinians.

Debate Over Protest Rights

The demonstrations have also renewed questions about the balance between freedom of expression and public safety.

Canadian universities have generally allowed political demonstrations while imposing rules concerning safety, unauthorized occupations, property damage and disruption of academic activities.

The challenge becomes particularly complicated when demonstrations involve slogans or symbols that one community considers political expression while another considers them threatening or hateful.

University officials therefore face the difficult task of protecting freedom of expression while ensuring that students, staff and visitors can access campuses safely.

Canada Remains Deeply Divided Over the Conflict

The events planned for October 7 demonstrate how deeply the Israel-Gaza conflict continues to resonate within Canadian society.

Jewish communities are marking the anniversary through remembrance ceremonies and vigils, while Palestinian supporters are using the date to highlight the deaths and destruction in Gaza.

Neither side’s events can be understood separately from the wider conflict.

For Jewish Canadians, October 7 remains a day associated with the largest mass killing of Jews in a single day in decades, the deaths of family members and friends, and the trauma of hostages and survivors.

For many Palestinians and their supporters, the anniversary is also viewed within the broader history of Palestinian displacement and the devastating consequences of Israel’s military campaign in Gaza.

These competing experiences have increasingly found expression on Canadian streets and university campuses.

Universities Prepare for a Tense Day

With demonstrations planned in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, university officials are increasing security and coordinating with police to reduce the possibility of violence or serious disruption.

The events will take place alongside commemorations by Jewish communities, meaning competing gatherings could occur in the same cities and, in some cases, close to one another.

Authorities are therefore expected to focus on maintaining public safety while allowing lawful demonstrations and commemorative events to proceed.

For Canadian universities, the October 7 anniversary represents another difficult test of their ability to protect freedom of expression while preventing intimidation, violence, hate and significant disruption.

Three years after the Hamas attacks transformed the Middle East and reverberated around the world, the anniversary is once again demonstrating how strongly the conflict continues to shape public life in Canada.