This week, we were actively engaged in several critical initiatives. On Wednesday, we appeared in Federal Court as part of our challenge to the Canadian government’s decision to resume funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). We have been working with law enforcement to address recent threats against Jewish organizations and institutions across the country, ensuring our community’s safety and resilience. We also launched an Action Alert calling for CUPE Ontario leader Fred Hahn’s resignation in response to his repeated statements that have made the union a threatening and unsafe place for Jewish members. Read on to learn more. 

CIJA

Since Hamas’ barbaric October 7 terror attacks against Israel, which claimed more than 1,200 lives – eight of them Canadian – the situation within CUPE has become increasingly troubling. The union's current crisis can be largely attributed to the leadership of Fred Hahn, who has been at the helm since 2010. Under his direction, CUPE has, unfortunately, become a hotbed for radicalization and extremism, impacting both workplaces and campuses. 

Jewish members of CUPE are reporting unprecedented levels of racism, hostility, and discrimination within the union. This is a severe violation of the union's core principles, leaving many members feeling unsafe participating in union activities. The situation worsened significantly on August 11, when Hahn shared an antisemitic propaganda video, further damaging the union’s integrity and unity. His actions have moved from the realm of political discourse into hate speech and discrimination. 

It is clear that Hahn's leadership is a serious threat to CUPE’s commitment to solidarity, inclusivity, and respect for diversity. His continued presence is a significant distraction and jeopardizes the future of the Canadian labour movement. 

Despite CUPE National’s request for Hahn to resign, he has refused to step down. It is now crucial for CUPE National President Mark Hancock and the Executive Board to act decisively. If Hahn does not leave voluntarily, CUPE must remove him to restore the union's focus and realign with its core mission of representing all members fairly, regardless of their background or beliefs. 

This is where YOU can help – send a message to CUPE leadership urging them to fire Fred Hahn here.

On Wednesday morning, more than 100 Jewish organizations, synagogues, and hospitals in Canada and the U.S. received emails containing a hoax bomb threat. CIJA and our Jewish Federation partners have been in contact with law enforcement, and all indications are that these were nuisance emails designed to disrupt lives and create fear and confusion.  

Police have assured us there is no imminent threat. Jewish Canadians will not be intimidated. We will stay vigilant, and we will never be scared of taking part in Canadian society and Jewish life. 

This week, CIJA was in Federal Court as part of our challenge to the Government of Canada's decision to resume funding for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). 

In April, Canadian families who lost loved ones in the horrific Hamas attacks on October 7, together with CIJA, filed an application for judicial review, arguing that the decision to restore UNRWA funding was both morally and legally unjustifiable. Our position is based on documented evidence of UNRWA's connections to Hamas, a listed terrorist organization. Recently, UNRWA even dismissed nine employees for their direct involvement in the October 7 attacks, underscoring the agency's problematic ties. 

In response to our application, the Government has sought to dismiss the case, claiming that the court does not have jurisdiction over the Minister’s decision. On Wednesday, we presented our case that the government must be held accountable and abide by the law – they are not above it. We expect the court’s decision determining whether the case can proceed soon. 

The government’s decision must be scrutinized to ensure accountability and adherence to Canadian law. The funding of UNRWA, given its links to Hamas, raises serious concerns about the potential misuse of Canadian taxpayer dollars. 

We believe it is crucial for the decision to face judicial review to ensure that our foreign aid does not inadvertently support terrorist activities. This legal challenge represents a critical step in safeguarding both Canadian values and international integrity. 

Take Action

Tell CUPE to fire Fred Hahn

Community Calendar

September 2 | Labour Day
October 2 | Rosh Hashanah (Starts at sunset)
October 11 | Yom Kippur (Starts at sunset)

CIJA in the News  

Boycottage du défilé de la fierté? - Le téléjournal Ottawa-Gatineau – 01:06-04 :05 (ICI Radio-Canada)

Vancouver activist facing hate speech probe praises Oct. 7 attack on Iranian TV (Global News)

Iranian regime awards Vancouver activist who called Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack “heroic (True North)

Court injunction at Vancouver Island University ends the campus encampment trend (for now) (The Canadian Jewish News)

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe admonishes Capital Pride for its anti-Israel stance (True North)

Jewish NGOs, Ottawa mayor withdraw from pride parade over 'genocide' statement (The Jerusalem Post)

Liberals become latest group to withdraw from Ottawa Pride events over anti-Israel statement (Western Standard)

Ottawa school board pulls out of Pride parade over anti-Israel statement (Western Standard)

CUPE Ontario president expresses 'regret' after reposting video called hurtful by Jewish members (CBC)

Liberal Party drops out of Capital Pride following anti-Israel statement (True North)

Partage d'une vidéo anti-Israël : un dirigeant du SCFP exprime ses regrets (Radio-Canada)

CUPE's National Executive Board passes motion requesting Fred Hahn's resignation (Western Standard)

Premier and local MPP call out CUPE VP over online posts (Durham Radio News)

Bomb threats emailed to over 100 Jewish institutions in Canada (The Times of Israel)

Mass bomb threat sent to dozens of Jewish institutions across Canada (Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Multiple Jewish organizations across Canada receive bomb threats, police evacuating some buildings (National Post, + The Canadian Press Syndication)

Une centaine de groupes juifs au Canada ont reçu mercredi un courriel de menaces (Courrier Frontenac, + syndication de La Presse Canadienne)

Waterloo rabbi calls mass bomb threat to Jewish institutions 'immoral, wrong and evil' (CBC)

RCMP investigating bomb threats at Ottawa hospitals, Jewish organizations (CTV News Ottawa)

Canada's largest union asks VP to resign over exploding Jewish athlete video (The Jerusalem Post)

CUPE calls for Fred Hahn's resignation following social media post (CP24)

Liberals’ fall priorities should centre on building support from NDP, key voting blocs: lobbyists, pollsters (The Hill Times)

Des menaces et alertes à la bombe visent plus d'une centaine de groupes juifs au pays (Radio-Canada)

Segment : Des menaces et alertes à la bombe visent plus d’une centaine de groupes juifs au pays (ICI Télé, Radio-Canada)

Bomb Threats – CBC Montreal News – 08:30-09:24 (CBC)

Toronto buildings evacuated after multiple Jewish organizations across Canada receive bomb threats (Toronto Star)

Dozens of Canadian organizations targeted by bomb threat (Toronto Sun, + Postmedia Syndication)

RCMP investigating after bomb threat sent to Jewish institutions across Canada (CBC Montreal)

Over 100 Canadian Jewish institutions, synagogues, targeted in mass bomb threat (The Jerusalem Post)

Canadian and Jewish leaders react to antisemitic bomb threat (NOW Toronto)

Canadian authorities respond to a bomb threat emailed to more than 100 Jewish institutions (The Canadian Jewish News)

At least 3 Montreal synagogues on Canada-wide list targeting Jewish institutions; RCMP investigating (CityNews Montreal)

Fredericton synagogue among targets of bomb threat (Telegraph-Journal)

City synagogues received threats made against Jewish organizations across Canada (Winnipeg Free Press)

“Stop hating Jews”: Ontario labour minister confronts CUPE president Fred Hahn (True North)

De la belle visite au Québec! (Le Journal de Montréal, + syndication QMI)

CUPE demands resignation of vice-president for posting ‘antisemitic’ video (Toronto Star, + Metroland Media Syndication)

Leaders of Winnipeg Jewish congregation not surprised by mass bomb threat amid 'climate of hatred' (CBC)

Windsor Jewish group speaks out following bomb threats (CBC)

Premier Ford calls CUPE’s Ontario vice president ‘disgusting human being’ (CityNews)

Jewish institutions across Canada targeted in coordinated bomb threats (True North)

Canadian families of Oct. 7 victims sue to stop federal funding of UNRWA (Jewish News Syndicate)

Edmonton synagogues confirm they received threats (CityNews Edmonton)

Exploding Jewish athlete video causes Canada's largest union to ask VP to resign (The Jerusalem Post)

CUPE boss Fred Hahn refuses to resign over 'antisemitic' video (National Post, + Postmedia syndication)

CUPE's National Executive Board passes motion requesting Fred Hahn's resignation (Western Standard)

Anti-Israel protester who praised October 7 massacre as 'heroic' says she is a Canadian citizen (National Post)

Hamilton Jewish institutions among more than 100 in Canada to receive terror threats (Niagara Falls Review, + Metroland Media Syndication)

Canadian revenue body accused of ‘hit job’ for revoking JNF Canada’s charity status (Jewish News Syndicate)

City synagogues among more than 100 Canadian Jewish groups threatened in emails (Winnipeg Free Press)

More bomb threats made against Canadian synagogues, public sites (The Jerusalem Post)

Community Careers

Hillel Director (Jewish Federation of Edmonton)
Vice President/Director of Development (Jewish Federation of Ottawa/Ottawa Jewish Community Foundation)
Communications and Social Media Officer (Jewish Federation of Ottawa)