This week, we delved deep into the repercussions of the new Online Harms Bill, heard insightful words from our chair, commended the Canadian Government for allocating funds in support of the Jewish community in the 2024 Federal Budget, and put Israel’s perspective on the war with Hamas on the pages of a Montreal paper.   

Read on to learn more. 

CIJA

To inspire ideas and actions in this complex and troubling period for Israel and the Jewish people, CIJA has developed a Passover discussion guide that poses four thought-provoking questions pertaining to some of the most difficult advocacy issues facing Canada’s Jewish community today. We encourage you to include them in your Seder to generate engaging and important conversations with friends and family.    

And we invite you join the global ‘Seder seat for a Hostage’ in honour of those killed on October 7, and the more than 100 men, women, and children  still held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.   

We wish you a peaceful Pesach.  Chag Sameach – and next year in Jerusalem!  

Hundreds of people tuned in to hear legal experts Dr. Micheal Geist and Dr. Emily Laidlaw analyze the intentions, pros, and cons of Bill C-63, the new Online Harms Bill. Watch this engaging conversation, moderated by CIJA vice-president Richard Marceau, here.

"As we gather around our Seder tables, let’s draw strength from our history and commitment to our shared values. Let’s reaffirm our dedication to combating antisemitism."   

In an op-ed published in the Journal de Montréal, CIJA’s Missions Director Myriam Azogui-Halbax, based in Jerusalem, poses some important questions to Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly. The minister wants the fighting and violence to cease. Does the minister think Israelis do not want fighting to cease? Does she think they are not also victims of violence? If Hamas laid down their arms and released the hostages, the war would be over tomorrow. Read it here.

Last week, Canadians watched in horror as 300+ Iranian drones and missiles were fired, directly from Iran, at Israeli cities and towns. We don’t know when Iran will strike again, but Israel must be ready to defend itself from another attack at any time.  

Tell Minister Joly that Iranian aggression can’t be given a free pass – reverse Canada’s defensive arms embargo on Israel and ban the IRGC now. 

CIJA is pleased to learn that the 2024 Federal Budget includes significant security measures in response to the increased number of hate crimes targeted at Canada’s Jewish community, including $32M over six years to further enhance the Security Infrastructure Program; $7.3M over the next six years to support Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism; $5M for the establishment of a National Holocaust Remembrance Program; and over $180M in programs that will help combat antisemitism in Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate. The Government of Canada is also allocating more than $180M in programs that will help combat antisemitism in Canada’s Action Plan on Combatting Hate.  

Community Calendar

Communities are gathering in cities across Canada in support of the people and land of Israel. Find an event near you.

April 22-30 | Passover
May 5-6 | Yom HaShoah
May 12-13 | Yom Hazikaron
May 13-14 | Yom Haatzmaut
May 20 | Victoria Day
Jun 12-13 | Shavuot

CIJA in the News 

Agir concrètement pourrait aider à faire cesser le conflit - Lettre d’une Québéco-Israélienne à Mélanie Joly (Le Journal de Montréal, Journal de Québec)

CIJA: Let our People Go (Alberta Jewish News)

Liberals resumed UNRWA funding despite evidence of terrorist ties with Hamas (True North)

Des personnalités pro-Israël critiquent l’approche du Canada (Radio-Canada)

Jewish community responds to Anti-Racism Act – Weekends with Scott Shantz (980 CKNW)

Jewish diaspora expresses concern as Iranian drones launch toward Israel (The Jerusalem Post)

Toronto protesters cheer as Iran fires drones at Israel (The Jerusalem Post)

Toronto Community Reacts to Iran bombing Israel – 04:28-07:25 (CTV News Toronto)

S'il y a escalade, on s'enligne vers une conflagration du Moyen-Orient (98.5 Montréal)

L’Iran veut étendre ses tentacules… – Maurais Live (CHOI 98.1 Radio X)

The Canadian celebrations that greeted Iran's attack on Israel (National Post, + Postmedia Syndication)

B.C.’s Jewish community welcomes attorney general Niki Sharma’s new anti-racism legislation—but prompter action is wanted on antisemitism (The Canadian Jewish News)

Sponsored travel climbed back to pre-pandemic levels in 2023 as MPs accept trips to Israel, Taiwan, U.K. (The Hill Times)

Why We Are Suing the Federal Government for Funding UNRWA:  Fireside Chat with Richard Marceau, VP & General Counsel, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (Honest Reporting Canada)

The conflict in the Middle East could be affecting the next federal election already (CBC)

«En face d’Israël, on a un acteur qui est complètement irrationnel», dit une Québécoise vivant en Israël - Balado avec Richard Martineau (QUB)

Legal experts urge overhaul of Online Harms Act, separating it into two or three bills (True North)

Noa Tishby attracts 1,800 in CSL (The Suburban)

Faites la différence: agir pour aider à faire cesser le conflit – Le Québec matin (TVA Nouvelles)

Barbara Kay: Ottawa Should Support Canadian Muslim Groups That Condemn Hamas, Instead of Funding Anti-Semitic Ones (The Epoch Times)

Anti-Israel protests surge after Iranian drone attack (True North)

A recap of the Jewish community boosts in Canada’s 2024 federal budget (The Canadian Jewish News)

Community Careers

Associate Director, Communications & Marketing - CIJA
National senior professional, External Affairs - CIJA
Digital Marketing & Communications Specialist - Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver
Associate Director, University Relations - Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, CIJA
Associate Director Advocacy, Public and Independent Schools - Jewish Federation of Greater Vancouver, CIJA