Protecting Jewish Life in Ontario

December 4, 2025

Across Ontario, our community has faced unrelenting antisemitism in our streets, in our schools, and in our workplaces. Parents, students, and workers are facing these challenges every day and fighting to secure our future.  

On November 25, CIJA convened a delegation of rabbis, students, and community leaders at Queen’s Park. We launched our key priorities that we will be advocating for over the next few months to ensure Jewish Ontarians can live safely and freely: safety, accountability, and awareness. 

Click here to download the 2025 Advocacy Priorities to read more.

During the day, community members fiercely advocated for concrete changes and translating our serious concerns into clear priorities for government action, including with Premier Doug Ford, key Cabinet Ministers including Attorney General Doug Downey and Minister of Colleges, Universities, Research Excellence and Security Nolan Quinn, senior political staff, Opposition Critics, and MPPs.  

Across every meeting, public officials heard directly from the community. We all remained focused on translating our priorities into action.  

Community Safety 

• The need for stronger political leadership and enforcement of the law. 

• Long-term, meaningful investment in the Ontario Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant. 

• Clear commitments and actions that Jewish communities can see—and feel—in their daily lives. 

Accountability in Education 

We have pressed the government to hold school boards accountable and combat systemic antisemitism, which is why we were pleased that the government introduced and quickly passed Bill 33, Supporting Children and Students Act, 2025. This legislation gives the Minister of Education significant new powers to investigate, intervene, and, when necessary, take control of boards failing in matters of public interest—financial or non-financial. In our meetings, we urged the government to exercise their authorities accordingly if a school board fails in its duty to provide a safe learning environment for Jewish students.  
 
Protecting Jewish Students and Staff on Campus

Bill 33 also introduced important new transparency and merit requirements for admissions and gives the government the power to regulate student fees. Arguably, these fees have, in many cases, funded groups contributing to hostile environments for Jewish students. During our meetings that day, CIJA advocated strongly for strict fee regulations and will continue to do so in the coming months.  

Union Accountability 

It is no secret that antisemitic behaviour within unions has gone largely unaddressed. Workers reporting discrimination often face retaliation or bureaucratic delay. In our conversations with elected officials and key staff, we urged for significant action to be taken by the government to ensure Jewish union members are afforded equal protection from hate and discrimination. 

Where You Come In 

Our advocacy is strengthened when community members are active partners. Here’s how you can help: 

If you are a student, parent, teacher, union member, or professional with first-hand experience, the most important thing you can do is to build a direct relationship with your local MPP. Remember to download the one pager of concrete actions the government can take.  

In the coming months, you’ll hear more from us on opportunities to get involved and make an impact through ActionHub.ca. 

Together, we are building a safer and stronger Ontario for our community.