Where the Parties Stand on issues important to the jewish community
Where the Parties Stand on issues important to the jewish community
On February 27, Ontario voters will elect their next Provincial Government. Jews make up 1.2% of the province’s population, with half of Canada’s Jewish community calling Ontario home. Jewish Ontarians have a proud history of contributing Ontario’s growth and success and are an integral part of communities across the Province.
As the voice of Canada’s grassroots Jewish community and to help Jewish voters make an informed decision, B’nai Brith Canada is surveying the main political parties vying to form the next government about their positions on issues that matter to the community.
Stay tuned to this page! We will post the responses to our questions as soon as we receive them, so check back regularly for to receive the latest updates!
Protecting Vulnerable Infrastructure
Question 1: If elected, what measures will your government propose to protect the sanctity of vulnerable infrastructure, including places of worship and other religious and cultural institutions?
Context:
B’nai Brith Canada has repeatedly heard from members of communities across Ontario who are scared to exercise their rights and unable to enjoy their Charter freedoms. They are afraid to attend to synagogue or other institutions affiliated with the Jewish faith for fear that they will be targeted for their attendance.
No Canadian should have to choose between exercising their fundamental freedoms and ensuring their safety and well-being. Every Canadian, including the residents of Ontario, deserves to be assured that their faith-based and cultural institutions will be protected from those who wish to nefariously target such institutions and their users.
The increasing frequency of the occurrence of nuisance protests and other problematic events across the province has caused municipalities to examine the feasibility of and to enact bylaws to protect vulnerable infrastructure from the negative ramifications of such demonstrations and events. The cities of Brampton and Vaughan have passed by-laws restricting the occurrence of nuisance protests within a reasonable distance of places of worship and vulnerable infrastructure respectively. The Town of Oakville and the City of Toronto have authorized studies to explore the same in their municipalities.
There is currently no provincial legislation in place to protect vulnerable infrastructure, leaving Ontario’s religious and cultural communities vulnerable.
Rallies that Promote Hate
Question 2: If elected, how will your government work with the federal government, municipal leaders, and law enforcement to combat the divisive and inciting protests and rallies that have been compromising the well-being of Ontarians and threatening the vitality of communities across the Province?
Context:
Since the October 7 Hamas-led terrorist attack on Israel, there has been a significant increase in the number of protests and rallies taking place across Ontario. While many of these have been peaceful events, a concerning number have devolved into problematic occurrences involving intimidation, incitement, hatred, the glorification of violence, and support for terror.
As noted in B’nai Brith Canada’s Seven Point Plan to Tackle Antisemitism, “Law enforcement agencies must actively monitor and intervene at events where hate speech and incitement to violence are likely, ensuring that participants and organizers face legal consequences.”
B’nai Brith Canada has consistently warned that the failure to enforce the rule of law in response to antisemitic incitement at hate-driven rallies will inevitably lead to the further fomentation of hatred and division across Ontario.
Antisemitism in Ontario Schools and on Ontario Campuses
Question 3: If elected, what steps will your government take to ensure that Ontario’s high schools and post-secondary campuses are safe spaces for Jewish students?
Context:
Jewish students in Ontario’s high schools and post-secondary institutions do not feel safe.
Since the October 7 Hamas led terrorist attack against Israel, there has been a slew of walkouts, demonstrations, riots, encampments, and other incidents that have incited antisemitism and threatened the well-being of Jewish students in Ontario’s high schools and post-secondary institutions.
During discussions with Jewish students across Canada, B’nai Brith Canada has identified that there is an apparent lack of understanding amongst members of our secondary and post-secondary school communities surrounding what constitutes contemporary antisemitism.
There is an apparent need to increase secondary and post-secondary students’ awareness of the Government of Ontario’s definition of antisemitism, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition.
In advance of the current school year, in response to concerns from Jewish students and their families, B’nai Brith Canada launched two policies, earmarked respectively for implementation by school boards and post-secondary institutions:
- B’nai Brith Canada’s Policy for Combating Antisemitism in Schools (PCAS) – Introduced on September 26, 2024, its purpose is to “enhance the protection and inclusion of Jewish students within the school board’s existing Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate frameworks. Its purpose is to ensure that the school environment is free from antisemitism and to provide Jewish students with support in expressing their cultural, religious, and historical identity. The policy aligns with the school board’s commitment to creating a welcoming and safe learning environment for all students, and fostering an equitable, inclusive, and diverse community.”
- B’nai Brith Canada’s Policy for Combatting Antisemitism on Campuses (PCAC) – Introduced on September 13, 2024, its purpose is to “enhance the protection and inclusion of Jewish students within the institution’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) frameworks. Its purpose is to ensure that the campus environment is free from antisemitism and supports Jewish students in expressing their cultural, religious, and historical identity. The policy aligns with the institution’s commitment to fostering an equitable, inclusive, and diverse community for all students.”
Implementing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Antisemitism
Question 4: If elected, how will your government implement Ontario’s IHRA definition of antisemitism?
Context:
In October 2020, the Provincial Government adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism (IHRA Definition). The next government has the unique opportunity to take the next step by implementing and applying the IHRA Definition.
With this goal in mind, B’nai Brith Canada has provided parties with B’nai Brith Canada’s Roadmap to the Implementation and Application of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. This roadmap demonstrates how the definition can serve as a practical tool for identifying and addressing antisemitic incidents.
For example, it can be used in law enforcement training, education, and other areas to better identify and investigate antisemitic occurrences.
Application of the definition can also occur through:
- Policies and directives
- Legislation and Orders in Council
- Action plans
- Training programs for civil servants and political staff
- Guidance manuals for law enforcement, prosecutors, the judiciary, school boards, universities, and medical professionals
- Documentation in provincial government materials
