Policy Positions

This section contains documents that inform the public about policy positions that B’nai Brith has taken on key topical issues.

 

policy positions

This page contains documents that inform the public about policy positions that B’nai Brith has taken on key topical issues.

current affairs

current affairs

B’NAI BRITH CANADA’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT’S STUDY ON CANADA’S ADVANCEMENT OF A TWO-STATE SOLUTION

B’NAI BRITH CANADA’S RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE HOUSE OF COMMONS STANDING COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT’S STUDY ON CANADA’S ADVANCEMENT OF A TWO-STATE SOLUTION

1

Henry Topas, B’nai Brith Canada Director, Quebec and Atlantic Canada, delivers his opening remarks to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development.  

He outlined the reasons for adopting our two key recommendations for the Committee’s Two-State Solution Study: 1: That the Government of Canada unconditionally support Israel’s efforts to nullify the extra-territorial threats currently compromising its security, and 2: That the Government of Canada commits to assisting in the development of a functional democracy within the Palestinian Territories before it recognizes the existence of a Palestinian state.  

2

Henry Topas, B’nai Brith Canda Director, Quebec and Atlantic Canada responds to a question posed by Marty Morantz, Member of Parliament for Charleswood—St. James—Assiniboia—Headingley

MP Morantz: Do you think the policies of this government specifically exacerbate the problem of anti-Semitism in Canada, in our streets?  

Mr. Henry Topas: What probably scares me more is that rather than having unilateral moral clarity on this issue we are finding moral perfidy around all segments of different levels of government. I’m not going to single out any particular level of government, but we know what is going on in the streets of Montreal and in the streets of Toronto. We know what is going on campuses. We believe that this is basically, someone let the cat out of the bag, and people are taking full advantage, sadly. 

B’nai Brith Canada’s Recommendations for the house of commons standing committee on finance's 2025 pre-budget consultations

B’nai Brith Canada’s Recommendations for the house of commons standing committee on finance's 2025 pre-budget consultations

1

B’nai Brith Canada recommends that the Government of Canada review all federal grant programs to ensure that only projects that align with Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy: Changing Systems, Transforming Lives, 2024-2028 receive federal funding. 

2

B’nai Brith Canada recommends that the Government of Canada dedicate funding to develop a 5-year program to enhance the literacy of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism amongst post-secondary aged Canadians. 

3

B’nai Brith Canada recommends that the Government of Canada make new investments to support and strengthen Canada’s ability to monitor and prevent terrorism. Funding should be provided to enhance the capacity and expand the capabilities of Canada’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Teams (INSETs).  

4

B’nai Brith Canada recommends that the Government of Canada provide funding to create a publicly accessible digital archive of all records (government departments and agencies) relating to the Holocaust and then have Library Archives Canada (LAC) organize and release them as non-redacted copies readily open and accessible to the public. 


Concerning the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA):

Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program Grant 
IHRA Reference Guide

Contemporary Relevance of Holocaust Remembrance – David Matas
Academics for IHRA
Rebutting Criticisms of the IHRA Definition
Adoptions and Endorsements of the IHRA Definition
An Open Letter on the Origins of the IHRA Definition
IHRA’s 2016 Working Definition of Antisemitism
The IHRA 2020 Ministerial Declaration
IHRA Special Statement Condemning Rehabilitation of Those Complicit in the Holocaust
The IHRA Definition: Extended Facts
The 2013 IHRA Definition of Holocaust Denial and Distortion

Combating Antisemitism:

Seven Point Plan to Tackle Antisemitism
IHRA Roadmap
From The River to the Sea Primer – Resources for Schools
From The River to the Sea Primer – Resources for Law Enforcement
B’nai Brith Canada’s Stand on Fighting Hate
Standing Against Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions (BDS) Unfairly Targeting Israel
B’nai Brith’s Eight-Point Plan to Tackle Antisemitism
The 2000 Stockholm Declaration on the Holocaust
The 2010 Ottawa Protocol on Combating Antisemitism

Canadian Condemnations of BDS
International Condemnations of BDS
Opposing Nazi Glorification
Antisemitism as a Threat to Liberal Democracy in Europe
Combating Online Hate and Antisemitism

Letters and Appeals:

David Matas’ letter to Canadian museum regarding balanced approach to Arab-Israeli conflict
Combating Global Antisemitism and Protecting the Interests of the Jewish Community
Countering Glorification of Nazis in European NATO member Countries
How Canada Can Support Religious Freedom by Combating Global Antisemitism

Crafting a Government Approach to Online Hate & Antisemitism
The University of Toronto Search for an International Human Rights Program Director

Support for Charities in Responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic:

Imaginative Approaches to Funding Charities in Response to the COVID-19 Pandemic
A Brief to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance
A Brief to the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance

RECOMMENDATIONS TO COMBAT THE TARGETING OF JEWISH PEOPLE IN CANADA BY RADICALIZED INDIVIDUALS
Submission by B’nai Brith Canada to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
October 1, 2024

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2025 FEDERAL BUDGET
Submission by B’nai Brith Canada to the Standing Committee on Finance for Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2025 Federal Budget
August 1, 2024

RECOMMENDATIONS TO STRENGTHEN CANADA’S NEW COUNTER-FOREIGN INTEFERENCE LEGISLATION
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security for its Study on Bill C-70, An Act respecting countering foreign interference
June 6, 2024

A TANGIBLE WAY FOR THE FEDERAL GOVERNEMNT TO ADVANCE ITS COMMITMENT TO THE FURTHER IMPLEMENATION OF THE IHRA DEFINITION
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Science and Research for its Study Regarding the Distribution of Federal Government Funding Among Canada’s Post-Secondary Institutions
May 24, 2024

RECOMMENDATIONS TO HELP ENSURE THAT CAMPUSES REMAIN WELCOME SPACES FOR JEWISH POST-SECONDARY STUDENTS
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights for its Study on Antisemitism and Additional Measures that Could be Taken to Address the Valid Fears that are Being Expressed by Canada’s Jewish Community
May 23, 2024

SUBMISSION TO THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL POLICY REGARDING BILL 166
Submission to the Standing Committee on Social Policy regarding Bill 166, Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024
April 16, 2024

SUBMISSION TO THE INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE IN THE CASE OF SOUTH AFRICA V. ISRAEL  
Submission by B’nai Brith International, B’nai Brith Canada, B’nai Brith World Centre – Jerusalem and B’nai Brith Office of United Nations to the International Court of Justice
January 9, 2024

RECOMMENDATIONS TO IMPROVE CANADA’S SANCTIONS REGIME
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development for its Study of Canada’s Sanctions Regime
October 16, 2023

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE 2024 FEDERAL BUDGET
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Finance for Pre-Budget Consultations in Advance of the 2024 Federal Budget
August 1, 2023

CANADA’S MUST CEASE FUNDING PROGRAMS THAT RADICALIZE YOUTH AND NORMALIZE VIOLENCE
Report by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Government of Canada demanding accountability for taxpayers’ dollars
September 21, 2023

RECOMMENDATIONS TO RELIEVE CANADA’S HOUSING CRISIS
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities for its Study on the Financialization of Housing
May 25, 2023

RECOMMENDATIONS TO ADDRESS THE WEAKNESSES AND BOLSTER THE STRENGHTS OF THE SERGEI MAGNITSKY LAW, AND THE SPECIAL ECONOMIC MEASURES ACT
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade for its Comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Sergei Magnitsky Law, and the Special Economic Measures Act
December 22, 2022

RECOMMENDATIONS TO ENSURE THAT CANADA’S EXTRADITION SYSTEM IS BETTER SERVED FOR THE VICTIMS OF WAR CRIMES, CRIMES AGAINST HUMANITY AND GENOCIDE
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights for its Study on Extradition Law Reform
February 13, 2023

MANDATING PUBLIC DISCOSURE OF RECORDS REGARDING NAZI WAR CRIMINALS AND ESTABLISHING A PUBLIC ARCHIVE OF CANADA’S HOLOCAUST RECORDS
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics for its Study on the Access to Information Act
February 14, 2023

RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT ANOTHER LAITH MAROUF FIASCO
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage for its Briefing to Discuss the Department of Canadian Heritage’s Contract with the Community Media Advocacy Centre
March 21, 2023

THE NEED FOR A CANADIAN DEFINITION FOR ANTI-MUSLIM HATE
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights for its Study of Islamophobia in Canada
February 13, 2023

GOVERNMENT RESPONSES IN A TIME OF COVID-19: SUPPORT FOR CHARITABLE AND HUMANITARIAN WORK 
Submission by B’nai Brith Canada Committee for Justice in Canada to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance
May 15th, 2020

GOVERNMENT RESPONSES IN A TIME OF COVID-19: SUPPORT FOR CHARITABLE AND HUMANITARIAN WORK
Submission by B’nai Brith Canada Committee for Justice in Canada to the Senate Standing Committee on National Finance
May 26th, 2020

POLICY PAPER – COVID-19, DISINFORMATION AND ANTISEMITISM
Submission to Canada’s Anti-Racism Secretariat of a B’nai Brith Canada policy paper, ‘COVID-19, Disinformation and Antisemitism’
May 26th, 2020

IMPLEMENTING CANADA’S ANTI-RACISM STRATEGY: B’NAI BRITH CANADA’S VIEWS
Proposals from B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada at a Townhall Meeting between Canada’s Anti-Racism Secretariat and leading Jewish community leaders
July 16th, 2020

B’NAI BRITH CANADA’S COMMITMENT TO COMBATTING RACISM
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security
August 10th, 2020

COMBATTING ONLINE HATE & ANTISEMITISM
B’nai Brith Canada’s Submission to the Department of Justice
August 28th, 2020

THE BALANCE BETWEEN COUNTERING HATE AND DISINFORMATION AND SAFEGUARDING FREE SPEECH
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Canadian Commission on Democratic Expression
October 29th, 2020

ANTISEMITISM AND WHITE SUPREMACY
Submission by B’nai Brith Committee for Justice in Canada to the Minister of National Defence Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination
February 5th, 2021 (with Advisory Panel response on February 15th, 2021

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