CIJA Reacts to Dattani’s Resignation from the CHRC

Ottawa, ON – August 12, 2024 – Earlier this summer, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs called on the government to rescind the appointment of Birju Dattani to the role of Chief Commissioner of the Canadian Human Rights Commission following news reports unearthing troubling affiliations and statements from his past. Accounts of Dattani’s association with individuals and groups linked to listed terror entities and history of antisemitic remarks, and his inadequate response to the allegations – demonstrating a pattern of denial and evasion rather than genuine accountability and remorse – generated concern throughout the Jewish community about his suitability to hold a critical position adjudicating issues of hate and discrimination.

Today, following an official investigation into his appointment, Dattani announced his resignation from the CHRC.

In response, Richard Marceau, Vice-President, External Affairs and General Counsel, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement:

“We appreciate that the Government of Canada took the concerns of the Jewish community seriously and initiated an investigation into whether Birju Dattani was an appropriate candidate to lead the CHRC. While we may disagree with some of the investigators’ conclusions, one thing is clear: Dattani was not suitable for the position.

"At a time when antisemitism has reached record levels, the CHRC must be beyond reproach, upholding the highest standards of integrity and an unwavering commitment to Canadian values. Its role in safeguarding human rights and fighting discrimination is too crucial to be compromised by someone whose past actions would have shattered the trust of Jewish Canadians in the CHRC's ability to combat all forms of racism and discrimination fairly.

"The government must implement and enforce rigorous vetting processes across all departments to ensure that such a grave failure never occurs again."

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Additional Background 

• Statement: Dattani not suitable for critical position at CHRC
• Action Alert: New choice of CHRC chief is unacceptable
• Statement: Jewish community victimized in 70% of all religion-motivated hate crimes in Canada

About the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, representing Jewish Federations across Canada. CIJA is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization whose mission is to preserve and protect Jewish life in Canada through advocacy and to advance the public policy interests of Canada’s organized Jewish community.

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