Latest News

Community Leaders Launch Petition to Stop Government Funding to Antisemitic NGOs

March 08, 2022

 

OTTAWA — B’nai Brith Canada is supporting a group of respected community leaders who have
launched a citizens’ petition to stop government funding to non-governmental
organizations (NGOs) that promote antisemitism.

At the request of the citizens, B’nai Brith will handle the technical and media aspects of the petition. The citizens approached B’nai Brith given its role as one of Canada’s leading organizations defending the interests of the Jewish community.

Submitted to the House of Commons website, and to be tabled formally in Parliament in early June, the citizens’ petition is significant in targeting Federal Government aid to any domestic or foreign NGOs that promote or support antisemitism, as defined by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA).

The Government of Canada adopted the IHRA working definition of antisemitism in June 2019, and it is now shared by more than 40 nations. “Should the Government act on the petition, it will lead to a significant reevaluation of Canada’s criteria for funding NGOs,” said Marvin Rotrand, National Director of B’nai Brith Canada’s League for Human Rights. “For example, NGOs that promote antisemitism, mislabel Israeli cities as Palestinian and encourage children to wage war against Jews, would be ineligible for Canadian public funding.”

 

The petition will be tabled by Spadina – Fort York Member of Parliament Kevin Vuong.

“B’nai Brith is delighted to join this distinguished group of community leaders in supporting this important petition,” said Michael Mostyn, Chief Executive Officer for B’nai Brith Canada. “Canadians should not be footing the bill for promoting racism and hatred either here or abroad, whether by NGOs or others. We strongly urge those who stand against antisemitism and racism to sign this petition.”

Sponsoring the citizens’ petition are:

· David Matas – Renowned lawyer and human rights activist.

· Reza Banai – Founder of Justice 88, Iranian-Canadian group
advocating for justice for Ukranian flight PS752 downing by Iranian forces in
1988.

· Ramon Vicente – President of the Filipino Family Association of Quebec.

· Gemma Raeburn-Baynes – President of Playmas Caribbean Cultural Association, distinguished advocate for the promotion of culture through the
performing arts and anti-racist education.

 

Ellie Israel – Commissioner of the English Montreal School Board.