Much has been made of the challenges facing Canadians as the country engages in its 44th federal general election while still in the grips of a pandemic. For Jewish voters, the succession of holidays in the weeks leading up to the Sept. 20 election makes scheduling events like community forums with candidates extra confounding.<\/p>\n
Nevertheless, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), along with partner agencies, will present a number of events across the country. Here in Metro Vancouver, there will be a virtual town hall on Sept. 14, 4 p.m., co-presented, as is tradition, with SUCCESS, the United Chinese Community Enrichment Services Society. Topics addressed will include racism and hate crimes; seniors\u2019 care; post-pandemic economic recovery; immigrants and refugees; safe and healthy communities; and the sustainability of charitable and nonprofit organizations.<\/p>\n
Two days earlier, on Sept. 12, a Richmond-focused virtual town hall will take place at 5 p.m., co-presented by CIJA and the Kehila Society of Richmond.<\/p>\n
Tucked in between, on Sept. 13, is a national town hall, presented virtually from Toronto, again hosted by CIJA, this time in partnership with The CJN<\/em>. All events are accessible from the website cija.ca\/election<\/a>.<\/p>\n Locally on Sept. 13, there is an all-candidates meeting on seniors issues for the ridings of Vancouver Granville and Vancouver South, co-hosted by Jewish Seniors Alliance. To register for it, visit jsalliance.org.<\/p>\n CIJA also has released a federal issues guide, outlining what it considers to be priorities on matters of domestic and foreign policy.<\/p>\n Among the recommendations is a request to supplement the Security Infrastructure Program, which provides funds to enhance security at institutions such as synagogues and community centres, with a program modeled after the Community Security Trust in the United Kingdom, which trains volunteers to provide patrols, situational awareness and threat prevention.<\/p>\n The guide urges amending the criminal code to make Holocaust denial an indictable offence and developing a standardized national social studies curriculum on antisemitism and the Holocaust.<\/p>\n The document, which is downloadable from the CIJA website, calls on the next government to address online hate through education and enforcement, including a social literacy campaign to \u201csensitize Canadians to the potent role social media plays in bullying, harassment, intimidation, dissemination of hate, and threats.\u201d It calls for reestablishing provisions in the Canadian Human Rights Act to combat hate speech and strengthening Canadian tax laws to prohibit charities from promoting or inciting antisemitism or violent extremism.<\/p>\n The foreign affairs section calls on the government to ensure that Canadian humanitarian aid to Palestinians \u201cgoes where it is intended\u201d and to oppose one-sided United Nations resolutions singling out Israel. It also calls on the government to demand that the Palestinian Authority stop the \u201cpaid to slay\u201d program that rewards terrorism. It also calls for putting pressure on Iran until it \u201cdemonstrates meaningful improvements in comes into full compliance with its international obligations.\u201d<\/p>\n Other CIJA recommendations include:<\/p>\n The full document is downloadable at cija.ca\/election<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Canadian Jewish Political Affairs Committee (CJPAC) is also busy during the campaign.<\/p>\n CJPAC engages \u201cJewish and pro-Israel Canadians in the democratic process\u201d and helps community members build relationships within the Canadian political arena. Their website, cjpac.ca<\/a>, has links to all major political parties, as well as links to volunteering and getting involved in campaigns. There is a final volunteer training webinar available at noon Pacific time on Sept. 13.<\/p>\n\n