|
|
Dear John, This week, we applauded a significant step forward in addressing racism and hate on Ontario's postsecondary campuses, continued intervening with government on their discriminatory embargo, and called on the Pride community to embrace diversity for all its members. For more information, read on. CIJA
On Wednesday, after intervention and investigation by CIJA, Minister Joly publicly confirmed that previously unreported suspensions of the export of arms and military equipment to Israel were in fact in place and that 30 licences had been ‘suspended pending further investigation into their intended use,’ even mentioning a specific contract involving a joint venture with a U.S.-based defence contractor. CIJA has engaged the government on this issue. However, to date, it has not responded to our questions or to those raised by Israel. In response to Minister Joly’s disclosure, we have undertaken several initiatives and have assured Canadian Federations that we will continue to monitor developments and engage as appropriate on this issue. Our full comment on Minister Joly can be found here.
On Thursday, the Federal Court rejected the Trudeau government’s motion to dismiss the application for judicial review of their decision to resume funding for the controversial United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The government had tried arguing that the Minister of International Development’s decision was not reviewable by the courts, an argument rejected by Madam Justice McVeigh. This means that the application by Dikla Mizrachi, mother of Ben Mizrachi; Iris Liniado, daughter of Judih Weinstein Haggai; Jacqui Vital, mother of Adi Vital-Kaploun; Raquel Ohnona, mother of Alexandre Look; together with us at CIJA to have the March 8, 2024, decision by the Minister of International Development to resume UNRWA funding declared unreasonable will proceed before the Federal Court. Read more about the decision and what action CIJA is taking here.
This week, as one of his first acts in his new role, newly appointed Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn issued his directive for Bill 166, marking a significant step forward in addressing racism and hate on Ontario's postsecondary campuses. Incorporating many of CIJA's recommendations, this directive outlines standards for the implementation of Bill 166 that ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance in the reporting, investigation, and resolution of campus hate incidents. Most importantly, it adds mechanisms for accountability and enforcement, including penalties for non-compliance. While it will take some time to see whether the measures are effective in holding postsecondary institutions accountable, CIJA views this directive as an encouraging start toward a more stable and welcoming campus environment for all faculty, staff, and students. Read our statement here.
In this piece in The Hill Times, Jess Burke, Director of EDI and Liaison to 2SLGBTQIA+ Partnerships at CIJA; Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel (Ottawa); and Jesse Samuels of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees issue a call to Pride organizations and the wider 2SLGBTQIA+ community to recognize, address, combat, and unlearn antisemitism, just as they’ve endeavoured to unlearn other oppressions.
This week, we were notified by Canada Post that mail and parcel delivery has resumed between Canada and Israel. Canada Post was unable to deliver mail to Israel due to a lack of air transport, as air routes into Israel had been suspended in August because of the threat of attacks from Hezbollah and Iran. CIJA has been in contact with Canada Post throughout this suspension, and they have advised us that, while service has now resumed, there may still be delays in mail sent to Israel. Take Action
Tell
CUPE to fire Fred Hahn Community CalendarSeptember 30
| Truth and Reconciliation Day CIJA in the NewsConservatives call on government to disclose how latest ISIS suspect came to Canada (Global News) CIJA launches Election Hub to support Jewish voters ahead of B.C. election (True North) Federal NDP candidate in Montreal byelection hands out anti-Israel campaign fliers (True North) Joly says Canada will block U.S.-bound ammunition sale destined for Israel (The Globe and Mail) Terror suspect on his way to kill Jews arrested south of Montreal (The Suburban) Canada halts 30 arms export permits to Israel, including US-linked deal (Middle East Monitor) Federal government puts roadblock in front of ammo-supply deal for Israel (The Globe and Mail) MPs comment on the CRA decision to revoke JNF-Canada’s charitable status (Alberta Jewish News) Community CareersHillel
Director (Jewish Federation of Edmonton) |
|
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada |
|
|
Did someone forward you this email? Click here
and sign up to receive CIJA updates directly to your inbox.
This email was sent to [email protected] |