B’NAI BRITH CANADA DISAPPOINTED OVER POSTPONEMENT OF SCHOOL TAX CREDITS

Toronto, June 18, 2002

For Immediate Release

Toronto, June 18, 2002… There is dismay in the Jewish community over the announcement that the Ontario government has temporarily put the school tax credit on hold. This decision affects many different faith groups, which have lobbied together for years to advance the cause of equity in school funding.

“We are disappointed that the Ontario Budget 2002 has postponed the full implementation of this important initiative designed to bring fairness to educational funding”, stated Rochelle Wilner, National President of B’nai Brith Canada. “The postponement of the next phase of the Equity in Education tax credit runs contrary to the principles of diversity and equality in our multicultural, multifaith society.”

Frank Dimant, Executive Vice President of B’nai Brith Canada, added: “After years of sensitizing elected officials on the need for equitable educational funding, we are dismayed that government savings have to be sought on the backs of families who make such great sacrifices to educate their children according to their faith or culture. Although we understand the need for fiscal responsibility, too many families have already waited far too long to receive what should be an entitlement for every Canadian school child.”

Toni Silberman, Ontario Chair of the League for Human Rights, stated: “This postponement puts on hold the legal and moral right of parents — as guaranteed under the United Nations Convention on Civil and Political Rights — to choose the form of education for their children that best meets their moral and cultural background.”

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For further comment, contact Ruth Klein, National Director of Advocacy for B’nai Brith Canada at (416) 346-0114.

B’nai Brith has been active in Canada since 1875 as the community’s foremost advocacy and volunteer organization.