CIJA Applauds Passage of Ontario Bill 166
Toronto, ON – May 14, 2024 – Today, the Ontario legislature passed Bill 166 – Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024, critical legislation that will require every post-secondary institution in Ontario to put into place clear policies to address antisemitism.
In response, Shimon Koffler Fogel, President and CEO, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued the following statement:
"CIJA applauds the Government of Ontario’s passing of Bill 166. This legislative achievement reflects our persistent advocacy efforts, urging the Government to address pressing concerns affecting minority students, including Jewish students.
“Bill 166 addresses the shortcomings within the current framework on college and university campuses, where incidents of discrimination and hate often go unaddressed. Institutions have struggled to enforce their own policies effectively, leading to a lack of accountability and loss of confidence in the system.
“The Strengthening Accountability and Student Supports Act, 2024, presents a significant opportunity to improve the handling of hate incidents on campuses across Ontario. With Bill 166 now headed for Royal Assent, CIJA calls for specific directives to be implemented, including setting reasonable time frames for adjudicating hate complaints, establishing an impartial appeals process or ombudsperson for accountability, requiring the submission of transparent aggregate incident reports to inform anti-hate strategies province-wide, and enforcement mechanisms including penalties for non-compliance.
“We extend our gratitude to Minister Jill Dunlop for taking this crucial step towards addressing on-campus hate. Furthermore, we urge the incorporation of Motion 90, proposed by MPP Laura Smith, to enhance the efficacy of future directives in addressing these critical issues.
“CIJA remains committed to collaborating with post-secondary administrations, faculty, and student groups to ensure the comprehensive implementation of both the letter and spirit of the law. Our organization will continue to advocate for the voices of the mainstream Jewish community to be heard in combating antisemitism and promoting a safe and inclusive campus environment for all."
-30-
Stay In the Know!
Get all the latest information from our newsletter, "This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy."
