For Immediate Release
December 27, 2001 — B’nai Brith Canada has communicated with the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO) and the Ontario-Atlantic Head office of Re/Max in the aftermath of what has been called by one Real Estate specialist “The first incident of its kind in Canada.” Mr. Peter Ysselstein, a Re/Max agent in Guelph, distributed a flyer containing a blatant antisemitic comment to numerous homes in a Guelph neighborhood. Intended to garner more business, the flyer instead shocked many residents. After receiving complaints, B“nai Brith has requested an immediate and full investigation of the incident, followed by disciplinary proceedings if RECO and Re/Max deem the incident to be actionable.
Toni Silberman, Senior Vice President of B’nai Brith Canada, and Ontario Chair of its League for Human Rights, commented, “Our action is a clear indication that it is not enough to complain about prejudice, but rather that it is incumbent upon us all to combat it. B’nai Brith Canada has offered the services of its League for Human Rights to both RECO and Re/Max in the hope that its recognized expertise in anti-racism, combating antisemitism, and promoting tolerance will be used by these organizations.”
Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President of B’nai Brith Canada, wrote to the management of RECO “In these trying times, it is more important than ever that we promote tolerance and eliminate prejudice in our homes, our institutions, and our workplaces.”
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For further information, please contact Arieh Rosenblum, Ontario Regional Director, at 416-529-4699
B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s senior human rights organization.
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