The daily news cycle has reported hate and violence in
Europe, Canada, and the USA, often on university campuses or in central-city
public spaces. Open democracies have
been exploited by the dark side, where freedoms have become license for harm,
and free speech is used as a cover for hate speech.
The Parliamentary Report opens with its rationale.
“Antisemitism in Canada has reached a crisis point. Jewish
schools, community centers, and synagogues are being targeted by gunshots and
Molotov cocktails. Swastikas are openly displayed, while mezuzahs are torn from
the doorways of Jewish residences. Chants glorifying terrorist violence against
Jews are heard on streets and campuses, without consequence. Jewish students
are afraid to go to class. This crisis has emerged within a broader context of
rising hate towards several minority groups, set against the backdrop of
resurgent geopolitical tensions, the growing force of extremism online, and
other polarizing forces. The common threads linking these bigotries cannot be
ignored. And yet, antisemitism in Canada today is a distinct and especially
pernicious form of hate—one that calls for its own, carefully tailored
response.”
Lengthy testimony was recorded from witnesses at three formal hearings on Parliament Hill, where experts, university
students, representative organizations, and university administrations provided
their experiences and advice.
The Committee’s report is welcome news for all Canadians, as Parliament is hearing Canadians in a specific manner, focussed on actual legal and social improvements to respond to the antisemitic challenge.
The Minister of Finance the Honourable Chrystia Freeland was
urged for the next Federal Budget to include funding for programs to help the work
of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on antisemitism
literacy on Canadian campuses.
One of the Report recommendations went to the local school
level, that Governments should develop a strategy to equip students with an
understanding of IHRA.
A needed review and coordination of funding programs in
varied government departments was noted to ensure that broad access definitions
do not permit subversive use, such as was cited where some grants given through
the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC) were
misused to spread antisemitic propaganda.
The Parliamentary Report acknowledged that Zionism and
Jewish indigeneity to the Land of Israel are inseparable from Jewish identity.
The B’nai Brith organization has developed a Policy for
Counting Antisemitism on Campus (PCAC) to help universities respond to
antisemitic incidents. They would like
to see institutions incorporate their work into the University policy
frameworks.
Terrorist organizations pose significant threats not only
globally but also within Canada. Terrorist
organizations have been directly or indirectly involved in activities that
endanger Canadian citizens, promote violence, and spread extremist ideologies. Consequently, there needs to be concerted
leadership from government to prevent the further spread of antisemitism on
Canadian campuses.
B’nai Brith Canada says, “Canada has increasingly become a
target for the importation of extremist ideologies and the exportation of
terror from within its borders. Lax immigration policies and insufficient
monitoring of individuals who promote or participate in extremist activities
have allowed foreign hate groups to spread their ideology within Canada. This
influence often extends into educational institutions, community organizations,
and even political movements, undermining Canadian values and endangering the
safety of Canadian citizens. At the same time, weak enforcement has permitted
the exportation of radicalization and terror activities abroad. Strengthening
laws and border security to prevent the import and export of hate and terror is
critical for ensuring the safety of Canadians and preserving Canada’s values of
tolerance and respect.”
“The current legal framework in Canada does not fully
address the growing threat of hate speech and hate-motivated violence in public
spaces. Loopholes in the Criminal Code, such as lenient penalties for
hate-motivated crimes and the ability to conceal identity through mask-wearing
at protests, have allowed individuals to evade accountability while engaging in
harmful and illegal activities. Amending the Criminal Code to strengthen
measures against all forms of hate-motivated offences will provide law enforcement
with better tools to prevent and address these behaviours. By closing these
gaps, Canada can more effectively combat hate and uphold the values of
tolerance, safety, and respect for all its citizens.”
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