CIJA Celebrates the Launch of the Canadian IHRA Handbook

 Government of Canada Handbook Helps Better Understand Antisemitism and Jews’ Peoplehood

Ottawa, ON – October 31, 2024 – The Government of Canada and the office of Deborah Lyons, Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, have announced the release of the Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism. This significant resource reflects years of dedicated collaboration with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), Jewish Federations, and various community stakeholders.

"With antisemitism at historic levels, the need for governments, school boards, university administrations, unions, and civil society organizations to identify and understand the phenomenon has never been more acute," said Richard Marceau, Vice-President, External Affairs and General Counsel, CIJA. “The IHRA working definition of antisemitism is grounded in the research of the world’s foremost experts on antisemitism and the Holocaust and is supported by the UN, EU, and 35 countries including the US and Canada. Most importantly, IHRA is the consensus definition that best reflects the lived experience of Jews today.”

In the context of the alarming rise of antisemitism in Canada, the IHRA definition of antisemitism has become an important tool in the fight against hatred. The IHRA definition was adopted by the Government of Canada in 2019, incorporated in Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy – and embraced by several provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, Alberta, and British Columbia. Promised in 2022 by the Government of Canada, the IHRA Handbook offers a clear framework for identifying and addressing both overt and subtle forms of antisemitism.

“The IHRA definition is one tool among many – but an important one – to combat Jew-hatred, and we welcome the publication of the Handbook on its use. We call on the federal government to distribute it widely to ensure that policymakers, law enforcement, and community leaders are equipped with this much-needed tool to identify, understand, and combat contemporary forms of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, the workplace, and in the religious sphere,” said Marceau.

The Canadian IHRA Handbook provides essential insights into the Jewish community, its indigeneity to the land of Israel, and the ways in which antisemitism undermines Jewish lived experiences. Tailored for the Canadian context with real-life examples and case studies that illustrate the unique challenges faced by the Canadian Jewish community, the Handbook serves as a vital tool for governments, universities, unions, and civil society organizations to enhance understanding and efficacy in combating antisemitism.

During the Handbook's development, CIJA and other Jewish organizations gathered testimonials that reflect the community's collective experiences with antisemitism in Canada. These insights will offer concrete guidance for addressing this pressing issue.

CIJA will actively engage with governments and organizations to promote the Handbook’s use as a foundational resource in the fight against antisemitism.

“We extend our gratitude to Deborah Lyons, Irwin Cotler, and all contributors to this vital initiative. Together, we are taking significant steps toward building a more informed and resilient community,” said Marceau.

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Additional Background

• CIJA Policy Priorities: Introduce a Canadian IHRA Handbook
• The IHRA definition
• Policy Brief: IHRA and Defining Antisemitism