For Immediate Release
Toronto, February 20, 2003… Initial reporting of the Toronto Police Force’s hate crimes statistics for 2002 has prompted mixed emotions from B’nai Brith Canada. The organization monitors hate activity in Canada through its League for Human Rights, which publishes a regular Audit of Antisemitic Incidents across the country.
Rochelle Wilner, National President of B’nai Brith, welcomed reports that, overall, hate crimes are down in Toronto. “We wish to commend the police force for undertaking this type of detailed reporting which is quite unique in Canada. However, we note with concern that hate crimes against Jews remain at levels which are unacceptably high.”
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President, stated: “Post September 11 there was an increase in hate crimes against all minorities, but in most respects tensions within society seem to have settled down. We have to ask why the Jewish community alone continues to be targeted for high levels of hate and bias crime. Our own Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, to be released on March 6, 2003, will explore these issues on a Canada-wide basis.”
The Audit’s release will be followed by a security briefing for synagogues, Jewish community institutions and concerned individuals.
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For further comment or more details on the Audit’s release contact Anita Bromberg at (416) 919 5096
B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.
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