CIJA Welcomes Senate Report on Antisemitism

Ottawa, ON – April 21, 2026 – In response to the Senate’s Standing Committee on Human Rights report on antisemitism in Canada, Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, issued the following statement welcoming key recommendations and calling for immediate action:

"The Senate’s report on antisemitism comes at a moment of crisis. As Jewish institutions face violent attacks and Jewish Canadians experience unparalleled levels of hate crimes, antisemitism is no longer confined to the margins—it has spread across our society and institutions. In fact, the Committee’s report and the hearings platform extremist voices calling for the destruction of those who support Israel.

"We commend Committee members, including Senators Leo Housakos and David Arnot, for ensuring the report reflects the serious concerns of Canada’s Jewish community. We welcome in particular the orientation of the report towards action and outcomes, including:

• The rooting of recommendations in agencies dedicated to law enforcement and intelligence, as this is crucial to combat antisemitism and the growth of radicalism both at our borders and inside our country;
• The echoing of our continuing calls to invest in the Canada Community Security Program (CCSP), and undertake reforms to make it easier to access, with an opportunity next week when the Government delivers the Spring Economic Statement;
• The calls for the federal government to use its voice and convening power to provide leadership on this crisis to other levels of government.

"We underscore the urgent nature of the crisis of antisemitism as the government considers the report’s recommendations.

"Additionally, Senators have an immediate opportunity to make a difference by passing Bill C-9, the Combatting Hate Act, which would strengthen tools for law enforcement and prosecutors to protect targeted communities and hold offenders accountable."

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*Note: Independent Jewish Voices, a fringe, anti-Zionist organization, is mentioned several times throughout the report and does not represent the vast majority of Jewish Canadians. The call by a witness for the destruction of Zionist organizations, delivered in Canada’s Upper House during the hearings, is deeply concerning given that 94 per cent of Jewish Canadians support Israel’s existence.