July 15, 2025
OTTAWA – Findings in a new Government of Canada report on antisemitism in Ontario’s Kindergarten-to-Grade 12 schools are deeply troubling and confirm what many Jewish parents have long reported – that antisemitism in schools is systemic, widespread and often ignored or enabled by educators and administrators.
The report, authored by Professor Robert Brym of the University of Toronto, documents Nazi salutes, Holocaust diminishment, violent antisemitic rhetoric and teachers promoting genocidal slogans such as “From the River to the Sea” in class. In nearly half of the reported cases, schools failed to investigate.
“In many instances, incidents were dismissed entirely or it was recommended that the Jewish student be removed,” lamented Richard Robertson, Director of Advocacy and Research for B’nai Brith Canada. “Many students now hide their Jewish identity out of fear, while others are left uncounted because boards refuse to recognize cultural or ethnic Jewish identity.”
The findings of the report align with incidents documented in B’nai Brith Canada’s 2024 Audit of Antisemitic Incidents, which reported a record surge in antisemitic harassment and highlighted alarming cases in educational settings.
B’nai Brith Canada is calling for the immediate adoption of our Policy for Combating Antisemitism in Schools (PCAS).
The PCAS provides a clear, enforceable framework aligned with the report’s findings. The policy mandates staff training, recognizes the full spectrum of Jewish identity, prohibits school-sanctioned antisemitic activity and establishes real accountability.
Ontario’s Ministry of Education must act now to uphold Canadian values and protect the next generation of Canadians from hate-filled indoctrination.
Here is a link to Professor Brym’s report: https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/canada-holocaust/antisemitism/antisemitism-ontario-schools.html
