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Dear John,
This week, we have been in touch with administrations at campuses across Canada regarding preparation for the upcoming academic year in the context of emboldened anti-Israel and antisemitic actors. We communicated concerns to the Minister of Immigration regarding vetting procedures for Gazan and other immigrants and continued to call for the resignation of CUPE Ontario President Fred Hahn. In Ottawa, we have supported our Jewish 2SLGBTQIA+ community following an egregious statement by Capital Pride.
Read on to learn more.
CIJA
In advance of students, faculty, and staff returning to campus for the new academic year, CIJA shared a unified framework for Canadian campus administrators <[link removed]> to use in their planning efforts. We also shared examples of relevant policy changes implemented by American universities that, if duplicated here, could effect positive change, including: an NYU <[link removed]> clarification that discriminatory use of the word “Zionist” is unacceptable, and added restrictions by UVA related to their Concealment of Identity <[link removed]> policy. In response to our outreach, CIJA is pleased to learn that some Canadian institutions have updated their policies, such as Western's new Prohibition of Camping on University Property <[link removed]> policy, and we are looking forward to seeing all campuses take steps to ensure their policies address the evolving challenges on campus – especially the timely enforcement of appropriate consequences.
CIJA also connected with university administrations to flag the concerted effort by hateful anti-Israel groups to organize disruptive actions intended to “shut down” campuses. Already, we have witnessed a Hillel table being targeted by aggressive protesters. We will continue to advise Canadian universities to be prepared to respond swiftly to such incidents, which will surely occur elsewhere.
On a related note, CIJA submitted a formal response to the TMU external review commissioned to determine whether a letter replete with antisemitic content, which was written, signed, and circulated by students at TMU’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law, breached TMU’s code of conduct. Prepared in conjunction with a panel of lawyers and academics, our response outlined the severe deficiencies in the Strengthening the Pillars: Report of the TMU External Review <[link removed]> produced by Retired Chief Justice J. Michael MacDonald. The administration is reviewing our response, and we will meet with them in the coming weeks for further discussion.
As we continue to engage Canadian universities proactively to ensure safe campuses for all, CIJA is committed to addressing advocacy concerns in coordination with our campus partners through training opportunities, strategic guidance, and useful resources. Visit the campus page <[link removed]>on our website for public campus advocacy resources and information about how to apply for the prestigious Israel Young Leaders Program <[link removed]>.
In July, a father and son duo, who were in the advanced stages of planning a serious, violent attack in Toronto, were arrested. The father arrived as a refugee in 2018 and was granted Canadian citizenship in May of this year. Upon learning he had a history of terrorist activity that included appearing in an ISIS video in 2015, CIJA joined Jewish community members and organizations in calling for an investigation <[link removed]> into the government’s immigration security screening process and for them to take immediate measures to address dangerous deficiencies.
In light of questions raised Wednesday at the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU) meeting <[link removed]> about the immigration security screening process and ongoing threats to the Jewish community, CIJA has sought reassurances from Immigration Minister Miller about the vetting procedures for Canada’s offer of 5,000 visas to Gazans. Read part of our letter to Minister Miller here <[link removed]>.
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Last week, almost 40,000 letters were sent by 13,000 Canadians to CUPE leadership asking for the firing of Fred Hahn, CUPE National general vice-president and CUPE Ontario president. Under his watch, the union has become a breeding ground for radicalization and extremism, affecting both workplaces and campuses. His actions and statements, both on and offline, have repeatedly moved from legitimate political discourse into hate speech, discrimination, and antisemitism.
His exploitation of his position of leadership to promote radical ideologies is causing irreparable harm to CUPE's integrity, unity, and effectiveness, and it threatens the union’s commitment to solidarity, inclusivity, equality, and respect for diversity. The recent incident on August 13, when he shared a viral foreign-made antisemitic propaganda video <[link removed]>, marked a particularly egregious moment in Hahn’s leadership.
CUPE National has already asked Hahn to resign from their Board, but he has refused. If you have not already, click here <[link removed]> and take a minute today to tell CUPE’s National Executive Board that he must be fired. <[link removed]>
On August 8, Canada’s Jewish community was dismayed by an anti-Israel statement <[link removed]> issued by Capital Pride that failed to uphold any degree of inclusivity for Jewish and Israeli-Canadian members of the Queer community in the nation's capital. Further, it promotes a climate where Jews are targeted, unwelcome, and unsafe. The entire Jewish Federation of Ottawa (JFO) team were digging deep into the issue from the beginning, and CIJA joined many Jewish and non-Jewish community organizations in condemning this vile statement <[link removed]> and in expressing steadfast support for Canada’s diverse 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
Following our work in media interviews and social media, and our own outreach, we saw the withdrawal of sponsorship and support of the August 25 parade by many people and dozens of corporations, public agencies, and municipal institutions. Instead, on August 25, hundreds of people proudly celebrated Ottawa’s 2SLGBTQIA+ community at a joyful and inclusive Pride Breakfast <[link removed]> which featured Jewish drag queen Adrianna Exposée, hosted by the Jewish Federation of Ottawa in partnership with several community organizations and agencies.
We urge Capital Pride to engage with Ottawa's Jewish community to address antisemitism, to offer meaningful solidarity, and to rectify their stance, beginning with an apology.
Canada Post has recently suspended <[link removed]> all mail and parcel delivery to Israel due to the cancellation of direct flights <[link removed]> by numerous airlines. FedEx and UPS services are also affected. We are in contact with Canada Post to receive updates about the resumption of services and will keep you informed of developments.
Take Action
Tell CUPE to fire Fred Hahn <[link removed]>
It’s time to make terrorist symbols illegal! <[link removed]>
Community Calendar
September 2 | Labour Day
September 30 | Truth and Reconciliation Day
October 2 | Rosh Hashanah (Starts at sunset)
October 11 | Yom Kippur (Starts at sunset)
October 14| Thanksgiving
October 17 | Sukkot (Starts at sunset)
CIJA in the News <[link removed]>
Canadian Jews, synagogues threatened with bombs (The Jerusalem Post) <[link removed]>
Jewish organizations start September ready to tackle antisemitism on university campuses (The Canadian Jewish News) <[link removed]>
La venue à Montréal d'un controversé cheikh compromise (Le Journal de Montréal, + syndication QMI) <[link removed]>
LILLEY: Islamic hate preacher now on tour across Canada (Toronto Sun) <[link removed]>
Justin Ling: We’re terrible at talking about the Israel-Hamas conflict. I tried to figure out why. (Toronto Star) <[link removed]>
More CIJA in the News <[link removed]>
Community Careers
Hillel Director (Jewish Federation of Edmonton) <[link removed]>
Vice President/Director of Development (Jewish Federation of Ottawa/Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation) <[link removed]>
Communications and Social Media Officer (Jewish Federation of Ottawa) <[link removed]>
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CIJA - 81 Metcalfe St, 6th Floor, Ottawa, ON K1P 6K7, Canada
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