This week, we applauded a significant step forward in addressing racism and hate on Ontario's postsecondary campuses, continued intervening with government on their discriminatory embargo, and called on the Pride community to embrace diversity for all its members. For more information, read on.   

CIJA

On Wednesday, after intervention and investigation by CIJA, Minister Joly publicly confirmed that previously unreported suspensions of the export of arms and military equipment to Israel were in fact in place and that 30 licences had been ‘suspended pending further investigation into their intended use,’ even mentioning a specific contract involving a joint venture with a U.S.-based defence contractor. CIJA has engaged the government on this issue. However, to date, it has not responded to our questions or to those raised by Israel. In response to Minister Joly’s disclosure, we have undertaken several initiatives and have assured Canadian Federations that we will continue to monitor developments and engage as appropriate on this issue. Our full comment on Minister Joly can be found here. 

On Thursday, the Federal Court rejected the Trudeau government’s motion to dismiss the application for judicial review of their decision to resume funding for the controversial United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The government had tried arguing that the Minister of International Development’s decision was not reviewable by the courts, an argument rejected by Madam Justice McVeigh. 

This means that the application by Dikla Mizrachi, mother of Ben Mizrachi; Iris Liniado, daughter of Judih Weinstein Haggai; Jacqui Vital, mother of Adi Vital-Kaploun; Raquel Ohnona, mother of Alexandre Look; together with us at CIJA to have the March 8, 2024, decision by the Minister of International Development to resume UNRWA funding declared unreasonable will proceed before the Federal Court. 

Read more about the decision and what action CIJA is taking here.

This week, as one of his first acts in his new role, newly appointed Ontario Minister of Colleges and Universities Nolan Quinn issued his directive for Bill 166, marking a significant step forward in addressing racism and hate on Ontario's postsecondary campuses. Incorporating many of CIJA's recommendations, this directive outlines standards for the implementation of Bill 166 that ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance in the reporting, investigation, and resolution of campus hate incidents. Most importantly, it adds mechanisms for accountability and enforcement, including penalties for non-compliance. 

While it will take some time to see whether the measures are effective in holding postsecondary institutions accountable, CIJA views this directive as an encouraging start toward a more stable and welcoming campus environment for all faculty, staff, and students. 

In this piece in The Hill Times, Jess Burke, Director of EDI and Liaison to 2SLGBTQIA+ Partnerships at CIJA; Rabbi Daniel Mikelberg, Senior Rabbi of Temple Israel (Ottawa); and Jesse Samuels of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees issue a call to Pride organizations and the wider 2SLGBTQIA+ community to recognize, address, combat, and unlearn antisemitism, just as they’ve endeavoured to unlearn other oppressions. 

This week, we were notified by Canada Post that mail and parcel delivery has resumed between Canada and Israel. Canada Post was unable to deliver mail to Israel due to a lack of air transport, as air routes into Israel had been suspended in August because of the threat of attacks from Hezbollah and Iran. CIJA has been in contact with Canada Post throughout this suspension, and they have advised us that, while service has now resumed, there may still be delays in mail sent to Israel. 

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Community Calendar

September 30 | Truth and Reconciliation Day
October 2 | Rosh Hashanah (Starts at sunset)
October 11 | Yom Kippur (Starts at sunset)
October 14 | Thanksgiving
October 17 | Sukkot (Starts at sunset)

CIJA in the News  

Ukrainian group plans legal challenge if Ottawa decides to release names of alleged Nazi war criminals (The Globe and Mail)

Conservatives call on government to disclose how latest ISIS suspect came to Canada (Global News)

Un Torontois accusé d’avoir planifié un attentat à New York a été arrêté en Montérégie (Ici Radio-Canada)

Jewish students ‘concerned’ about upcoming school year, say more Israel education is needed (The Hub)

Terror Plot Foiled – CBC Radio One (CBC News)

Terror Suspect Arrested Near US Border – CBC News Montreal – 08:54-11:20 (CBC News)

NDP pro-Palestinian byelection pamphlet draws criticism (The Montreal Gazette, + Postmedia Syndication)

NDP defends Montreal byelection flyer with Palestinian flag, ‘genocide’ accusation (CityNews + The Canadian Press Syndication)

NDP candidate promotes Palestinian flag, 'genocide' accusations in Montreal byelection campaign (National Post + Post Media Syndication)

CIJA launches Election Hub to support Jewish voters ahead of B.C. election (True North)

NDP defends Montréal byelection candidate Craig Sauvé over Palestinian flag on pamphlet (CBC)

NDP Rejects Criticism of Campaign Leaflet With Palestinian Flag (The Epoch Times)

Le NPD défend le dépliant propalestinien de son candidat Craig Sauvé (La Presse Canadienne)

La guerre à Gaza s’invite à une élection partielle à Montréal (Radio-Canada)

Federal NDP candidate in Montreal byelection hands out anti-Israel campaign fliers (True North)

Joly says Canada will block U.S.-bound ammunition sale destined for Israel (The Globe and Mail)

Jewish groups want Zuckerberg to revoke permission for anti-Israel chant on Meta platforms (True North)

Jewish groups tell Toronto’s police board how they want to see protests handled (The Canadian Jewish News)

Le festival de la haine (Le Journal de Montreal, + syndication QMI)

«Il faut liquider les blancs»: une conférence inquiétante se tiendra à l'UQAM… – Balados avec Richard Martineau (QUB Radio)

«Ben tanné des leçons de morale de ces hypocrites de Québec solidaire!», lance Joseph Facal (Qub Radio)

NDP Defends Byelection Flyer with Palestinian Flag (CTV News)

NDP Defends Candidate Who Appears on Campaign Pamphlet with Palestinian Flag – Power & Politics (CBC News National)

Ottawa cancels arms export licenses to Israel (Jewish News Syndicate)

Terror suspect on his way to kill Jews arrested south of Montreal (The Suburban)

Trudeau government blocks weapons exports to Israel made via the U.S. (Toronto Star)

Canada halts 30 arms export permits to Israel, including US-linked deal (Middle East Monitor)

NDP Stands By Candidate After Pro-Palestinian Campaign Poster (Newstalk 800 CJAD)

The six Canadian terror plots police have foiled since October 7 (National Post + Post Media Syndication)

Our Pride embraces, cares for, and protects all at-risk communities, and denounces hate (The Hill Times)

Federal government puts roadblock in front of ammo-supply deal for Israel (The Globe and Mail)

Ottawa loses bid to quash Israel advocates' lawsuit calling for halt to UNRWA funding (CityNews Halifax, + The Canadian Press Syndication)

Canadian court rejects motion to dismiss UNRWA lawsuit, Oct 7 families to proceed (The Jerusalem Post)

Countries should consider impact of their foreign policies on home ground – editorial (The Jerusalem Post)

‘You cannot take us for granted’: Muslim voters mobilize as Jagmeet Singh’s polarizing Gaza stance will get tested in this byelection (Toronto Star)

Financement de l’UNRWA: le Canada débouté en cour (L’actualite +syndication de La Presse Canadienne)

Federal government lost bid to stop Israeli advocates’ law suit (CityNews 1130)

MPs comment on the CRA decision to revoke JNF-Canada’s charitable status (Alberta Jewish News) 

Community Careers

Hillel Director (Jewish Federation of Edmonton)
Communications and Social Media Officer (Jewish Federation of Ottawa)
Manager, Young Adult & Family Programs - Jewish Federation of Ottawa
Associate Director of Development (Edmonton)
Administrative Coordinator at Hillel Ontario
Director of Advocacy, Emerging Campuses, Hillel Ontario
Director of Education & Mobilization, Hillel Ontario
Wellness Support Specialist. Hillel Ontario
Engagement & Advocacy Coordinator at Hillel Ontario