While Jewish organizations welcome most components of the proposed legislation, the most important message that its passage would send is that political leaders take hate crimes seriously, according to Jewish organizational spokespeople who were interviewed by the Independent<\/i>.<\/p>\n
Bill C-9 would amend the Criminal Code to strengthen existing hate-related offences. But legal experts and advocacy agencies admit there is no quick fix for the explosion of antisemitic rhetoric and violence in Canada and around the world.<\/p>\n
The proposed legislation, which is now in committee stage, would create new offences for intimidation and for intentional obstruction of access to religious or cultural institutions, schools, daycares, seniors residences and cemeteries. It would also create a new hate-crime offence tied to crimes motivated by \u201chatred,\u201d add a definition of \u201chatred\u201d and create an offence related to publicly displaying certain hate or terrorist symbols in ways that promote hatred. If passed, the law would remove the requirement of provincial attorneys general to approve police-laid charges and instead place that decision on Crown prosecutors.<\/p>\n
In a rare joint statement in December, five national organizations \u2013 the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Centre, B\u2019nai Brith Canada, the Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism, and Canadian Women Against Antisemitism \u2013 welcomed the bill. They also called for additional steps, including increased funding for community security and closing gaps in the country\u2019s anti-terror laws. The statement further called for existing laws to be more vigorously and consistently enforced.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Despite the advocacy of community voices, and existing and proposed legislation, many Canadian Jews feel that antisemitic rhetoric and acts are getting worse, not better, and that few of the actions taken to stanch them are having the desired outcomes.<\/p>\n In British Columbia, for example, Vancouver police recommended charges against Charlotte Kates, a Vancouver resident who publicly called the Oct. 7, 2023, terror attacks \u201cbrave and heroic\u201d and who led a rally in chants of \u201cLong live October 7.\u201d The recommendation has been on the desk of BC\u2019s attorney general for more than 18 months. In an interview with the Independent<\/i> late last year, Premier David Eby committed to providing an update on the case. Despite repeated follow-ups, the premier\u2019s office has not yet responded with an explanation as to why no action has been forthcoming. \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The Independent<\/i> interviewed leaders in Jewish advocacy organizations, and a clear consensus emerged that expressions of political will may be as important as any particular piece of existing or new legislation.<\/p>\n While many people may feel things are on a downward trajectory, Dylan Hanley, senior vice-president, public affairs, for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, noted some areas of progress. For example, though the situation on Canadian university campuses is not perfect, he said, there have been improvements in terms of how administrations respond to problems.<\/p>\n Hanley also said credit should be given where due, and intelligence agencies and law enforcement have, crucially, prevented several potential disasters from happening in Canada. More must be done, however, including additional immigration screening around connections to terrorist groups, and maintaining vigilance around foreign interference in politics and civil society, he said.<\/p>\n Further investigation is required around possible foreign support for domestic agitators, said Hanley. Although there is no solid evidence, there has been much speculation about external funding of anti-Israel activities, especially given the apparent preparedness of domestic groups immediately after the 10\/7 attacks, he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cHas anybody shown us the smoking gun?\u201d Hanley asked. \u201cNo. Do we suspect at least that there are foreign funds going into some of these campaigns? Sure.\u201d<\/p>\n Ensuring government support for community security is an ongoing issue, as funding is cyclical. But Hanley noted that, while this support is necessary, it is also a response to the problem, which requires leadership and action that gets at the root of the issue \u2013 radicalization combined with a major increase in antisemitism.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The proposed changes contained in Bill C-9 are largely a step in the right direction in his view, but Hanley says no single approach can eliminate the underlying problem of antisemitism and hatred.<\/p>\n \u201cNone of these things are silver bullets on their own,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd we don\u2019t want to raise community expectations that there is a silver bullet here.\u201d<\/p>\n The Jewish community is feeling very alone, he said, and is looking for someone to fix the problem. The consensus among all those interviewed for this story is that political leadership must set the tone.<\/p>\n
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