Independent journalist and NDP leadership candidate Yves Engler is doubling down on his call to prosecute Hampstead Mayor Jeremy Levi for recent statements he says amount to incitement to genocide against Palestinians. Engler argues that Levi’s public comments not only violate Canada’s Criminal Code but also reveal a deep moral failing.
The dispute centres on remarks Levi made that were reported by Cult MTL and denounced by the Muslim Advisory Council of Canada. Both Engler and other commentators have cited Section 318 of Canada’s Criminal Code, which criminalizes advocating or promoting genocide, as grounds for prosecution.
Engler’s original post included an image from his NDP leadership campaign reading “Prosecute Mayor Jeremy Levi” alongside an article linking Levi’s remarks to Canada’s legal obligations. Levi, in turn, posted the image without its context, writing:
“You couldn’t script this level of absurdity. Yves Engler is actually running to lead the federal NDP — and one of his platform points is to have me prosecuted. That’s right. When a Jew unapologetically stands up for Israel, the NDP doesn’t debate you — they want you in handcuffs.”
The 100,000 Children Comment
Engler points to a December 2023 interview in which Levi told him he was “okay” with Israel killing 100,000 Palestinian children because “good needs to prevail over evil.”
After Engler posted that clip, Levi blocked him on X, ending any chance of an online exchange. In later encounters, Engler says Levi avoided him — at one point hiding behind an umbrella, and on another occasion using Hampstead security to prevent questioning.
A Debate That Never Happened
Engler rejects Levi’s portrayal of himself as open to debate, noting that Levi blocked him on X after Engler posted a December 2023 interview in which Levi said he was “okay” with Israel killing 100,000 Palestinian children because “good needs to prevail over evil.”
Since then, Engler says, Levi has avoided direct confrontation — even hiding behind an umbrella to dodge questions and relying on Hampstead security to block him.
“I would happily debate Levi on Canada’s support for genocide,” Engler said. “In fact, I would do so at the Hampstead community centre or another unfriendly venue of his choosing. But there’s about as much chance Levi would debate me as that he considers all humans to be fundamentally equal.”
Tough Guy, Victim — or Both?
Engler accuses Levi of taking a contradictory “tough guy victim” posture. Initially, Levi appeared to mock Engler’s leadership run, posting:
“I enthusiastically back Yves Engler to lead the (unofficial party) NDP. Nothing would accelerate the NDP’s self-destruction more decisively than putting him at the helm.”
But within days, Levi shifted to amplifying calls for Engler to be removed from the race, retweeting a claim that he was “somehow a Rwanda genocide denier” and promoting a post from former Jewish Defence League head Meir Weinstein suggesting the NDP should “drop him or change their name to the Nazi Party of Canada.”
“Which one is it, Mayor Levi — do you ‘enthusiastically back’ my candidacy or are you demanding ‘the NDP drop’ me?” Engler asked.
Bigger Political Stakes
Engler also points to Levi’s close alliance with Neil Oberman, a figure Engler says played a role in a legal dispute that saw him spend five days in jail. Oberman is now assisting radio host Dahlia Kurtz in a $150,000-plus lawsuit against Engler.
The controversy has sparked broader political suggestions. Activist Josh Frappier has called for forcibly amalgamating Hampstead — a wealthy, largely Anglophone enclave — into the City of Montreal and firing Levi.
Frappier framed Hampstead as a “far-right Zionist colonial enclave” and linked it to international politics, including Trump’s threats against Canada and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s praise for the former U.S. president.
While acknowledging such calls, Engler maintains his focus on legal accountability:
“My preference is for the police to instigate a criminal case against Levi for what he wrote inciting genocide against Palestinians. And debate me in public.”
Canadian Law Prohibits The Promotion of Genocide
Context: Under Section 318 of Canada’s Criminal Code, “Every person who advocates or promotes genocide is guilty of an indictable offence.” Legal experts note that prosecutions under this section are rare, but the law remains on the books as part of Canada’s commitment to prevent and punish genocide under international law.
Whether Levi’s remarks meet that legal threshold remains to be determined — but Engler’s campaign has ensured that the question will be part of the political conversation.
