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Rochelle Wilner |
Frank Dimant |
Prof. Stephen Scheinberg |
Ruth Klein |
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Rochelle Wilner |
Frank Dimant |
Prof. Stephen Scheinberg |
Ruth Klein |
May 14, 2003
To: Policy and Finance Committee
From: City Clerk, Race and Ethnic Relations Committee
Subject: Rise in hate Incidents for the year 2002
Recommendation:
The Race and Ethnic Relations Committee recommends that the following motion be adopted:
“WHEREAS the report titled “Audit of Antisemitic Incidents for the Year 2002”, compiled by the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada indicates 459 reported incidents of harassment, vandalism and violence against Jews in Canada, a 60.48% increase over the previous year and the highest number recorded in the 20- year history of the Audit;
AND WHEREAS the vast majority of incidents have occurred in the Greater Toronto area, 217 incidents, representing an increase of 87% over 2001, which already recorded an increase of 35% over the year 2000;
AND WHEREAS sociologists and police sources confirm that only 10% of such incidents are actually reported;
AND WHEREAS anti-Semitism is incompatible with Toronto’s pride in multiculturalism and with Toronto’s slogan: “Diversity is our Strength”;
AND WHEREAS other faith and minority groups, such as the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs may also be victims of increased hate and prejudice.
B>THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Council of the City of Toronto:
(1) (a) pass a Resolution of their own, strongly condemning all acts of anti- Semitism and all forms of racism;
(b) request that the police investigate whether any of the incidents cited in the Audit and any other such reports related to other faith groups, such as the Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs can be prosecuted under our present hate laws;
(c) recommend that the Mayor, under his auspices, authorize the Community Advisory Committee on Race and Ethnic Relations to meet with any other groups that are in circumstances described above in order to stress that international events must not be used as a justification for attacks on Canadian citizens or residents;
(2) request the Ontario Ministry of Education to implement mandatory courses in ethnocultural diversity;
AND FURTHER BE IT RESOLVED THAT the City of Toronto encourage and facilitate other faith and minority groups to develop systems to audit hate related incidents directed at their communities.”
Background
At its meeting on April 29, 2003, the Race and Ethnic Relations Committee gave consideration to a motion which it had previously adopted in principle and which had subsequently been reviewed by its Cluster Group. The Cluster Group provided suggested amendments to this motion which the Race and Ethnic Relations Committee adopted.
Attached, for the information of the Policy and Finance Committee and City Council, is a copy of the report titled Audit of Antisemitic Incidents for the Year 2002, compiled by the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada, referred to in the first paragraph of the above motion.