Byline: Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Combating antisemitism

Tim Uppal, minister of state for multiculturalism, at the Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism. (photo from cic.gc.ca)

Canada’s position as a world leader in the global fight against antisemitism was reinforced last week at an international forum that saw experts and dignitaries tackling the issue of hatred towards the Jewish people.

The Hon. Tim Uppal, minister of state for multiculturalism, helped open the fifth Global Forum for Combating Antisemitism and reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to combating hatred and antisemitism in all its forms, including attempts to delegitimize Israel.

“Our government’s commitment to fighting the rise of antisemitism in all its forms is rooted in increased education and interaction between different communities to counter the ignorance and bigotry that spreads this pernicious hatred,” Uppal said in a statement. “We will continue to work to ensure that the horrid atrocities that occurred in the past never happen again.”

While in Jerusalem, Uppal met with businesses and experts to discuss the negative impact the boycott, divestment and sanctions movement would have on all sides in the region.

The forum is the premier biennial gathering for assessing the state of antisemitism globally and formulating effective forms of societal and governmental response. This year, it focused on two main subjects: confronting antisemitism and hate speech on social media, and the rise of antisemitism in Europe’s cities today.

Canada is a member of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) (holocaustremembrance.com), an intergovernmental body made up of experts from 31 countries that supports Holocaust education, remembrance and research around the world.

Yuzyk Award nominations open

Canadians are invited to submit nominations for the seventh annual Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism. New this year, candidates may now be nominated in one of three categories: youth, organization (private or nonprofit) or lifetime achievement/outstanding achievement. One recipient can be chosen in each of the three categories.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada added new categories for youth and organizations to allow for the recognition of a wider range of Canadians. With these changes, youth aged 15 to 24 who have contributed to the success of Canada’s pluralism can now be nominated. In addition, Canadian businesses and other organizations may also be nominated for their contributions to multiculturalism.

These two new award categories are in addition to the lifetime achievement/outstanding achievement category, which has been awarded annually since 2009. The achievement category recognizes an individual or group that has recently made a significant contribution to promoting and embracing Canada’s long tradition of peaceful pluralism. It honors an individual who has demonstrated the same dedication over a period of at least 10 years. Each award recipient will receive a $10,000 grant to be directed to a registered not-for-profit Canadian organization of their choice.

The deadline for 2015 Paul Yuzyk Award for Multiculturalism nominations is March 31, 2015. All entries must be postmarked by that date to be considered for the 2015 award. Late entries will not be considered. Visit CIC’s website for all the details and nomination forms.

The award commemorates the legacy of the late Senator Paul Yuzyk, who was a member of the Senate of Canada from February 1963 to July 1986 and played a key role in the development of Canadian multiculturalism policy.