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Dear John, 

This week, we joined thousands of Canadian Jews and our allies in commemorating those lost on October 7 and praying for the return of the hostages still held in Gaza, and we issued a pointed public criticism of Toronto’s mayor who did not find the time to attend a commemoration. We are also tracking the consequences of the protest ban on Samidoun’s Vancouver leader being lifted, and we renewed our calls for the PLFP-tied organization to be listed as a terrorist entity.

For more information, read on.

October 7 marked the one-year anniversary of the Hamas massacre, the worst attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust. Thousands of Canadians across the country attended commemorations honouring the 1,200 victims, including eight Canadians, standing in solidarity with the 101 hostages still held in Gaza, and praying for peace for the people of Israel. We are grateful to the elected officials at all levels of government, including the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, MPs in Ottawa, Manitoba, and many others who participated in commemorating the victims of October 7.

A notable absentee was Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, who, despite being sent three emails about the event organized by CIJA and UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, initially claimed that she had not been invited. Michelle Stock, CIJA VP, Ontario, issued a statement expressing the Jewish community’s grave disappointment, demanding a public apology, and requesting a meeting to discuss ways Mayor Chow can protect Toronto’s Jewish community from the unprecedented hate and antisemitism we are experiencing. Read it here.

Listen to Michelle’s conversation with Deb Hutton on NEWSTALK 1010 here and with Toronto Today’s Greg Brady here. (10:40-16:05)

Charlotte Kates, the international coordinator of Samidoun, a Canadian-registered not-for-profit operating from Vancouver with ties to the PLFP (a Canadian-listed terror entity), is a frequent organizer of pro-Hamas and pro-Hezbollah demonstrations in Canada that have included calls for violence against Canadian Jews. Kates was scheduled to appear in court on October 8 regarding charges stemming from an investigation by the Vancouver Police Department of her hateful comments at an April 26 rally, when she referred to the October 7 terrorist attacks committed by Hamas as “heroic and brave” and led chants of “Long live October seventh.” Since May, Kates has been prohibited from attending any protests, rallies, or assemblies.

CIJA staff were present at the Vancouver Criminal Court on October 8, where Kates was scheduled to make a court appearance; however, because the Crown has not yet approved the charges recommended by the VPD, Kates’ court appearance was canceled and the conditions of her release lifted. Kates is once again free to attend and organize more hateful demonstrations that glorify terrorism and continue to make hateful public comments. In response, CIJA and the Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver issued a statement. Read it here.  

More than 9,000 Canadians have signed a House of Commons petition  launched by MP Kevin Vuong that calls for the Government of Canada to designate Samidoun as a terrorist entity. If you haven’t already, add your name here.

Supported by CIJA's Legal Task Force, this week, Jewish members of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) filed 27 individual complaints at the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal against the union for discriminatory, antisemitic behaviour and creating an environment that is hostile to its Jewish members.

Filed symbolically on October 7, the complaints detail individual events and patterns of that have led to a culture where anti-Jewish and anti-Israel propaganda and antisemitism are advanced openly, Jewish union members are singled out and marginalized, and their concerns of discrimination are downplayed or ignored. These actions and others have left OPSEU’s Jewish members feeling abandoned. Read our press release here.

Eta Yudin, Vice President, Quebec, spoke to reporters about the urgent need for all Canadians to join in the fight against antisemitism. Read about it in The Montreal Gazette here.

Take Action

Call upon the Government of Canada to list Samidoun as a terrorist entity
It’s time to make terrorist symbols illegal!

Community Calendar

October 14 | Thanksgiving
October 16-23 | Sukkot (Starts at sunset)
October 23-25 | Shemini Atzeret & Simchat Torah (Starts at sunset)

Community Careers

CIJA | Associate Director, Government Relations (Ontario)
London Jewish Federation | Executive Director
Jewish Federation of Ottawa | Communications and Social Media Officer
Jewish Federation of Ottawa | Database Associate
Jewish Federation of Edmonton | Associate Director of Development
Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver | Manager, Jewish Community Foundation

CIJA in the News

Doorstep Postings: The repeat offences of Olivia Chow—audited on the eve of Yom Kippur (The Canadian Jewish News)

Three anti-Israel protesters arrested after clash at Concordia (The Suburban)

McGill to increase security ahead of pro-Israel, pro-Palestinian events on Oct. 7 (The Montreal Gazette)

L’Université McGill va restreindre l’accès à son campus le 7 octobre (CBC Radio Canada)

Tensions entre Israël et l'Iran: quels pourraient être les impacts au Québec? (Noovo Info)

Winnipeg social media post claims Oct. 7 as ‘world awakening day’ (Winnipeg Sun)

Shadows of hate: The alarming rise of antisemitism in Canada (The Jerusalem Post)

Anger, sadness and solidarity as Montrealers mark first anniversary of Israel-Hamas war (Montreal Gazette)

CIJA calls to stand against antisemitism in Quebec (Global News)

Jewish community calls on government to denounce antisemitic hate crimes (Newstalk 800 CJAD)

'I should have been there': Toronto mayor says she regrets not being at Oct. 7 vigil (CTV News)

More CIJA in the News