Wednesday October 28, 2020 Ontario Leads the Way in Defining Antisemitism to Fight Antisemitism The Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation wholeheartedly applauds the Government of Ontario for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism, and thank the original sponsors Roman Baber and Robin Martin MPPs for initiating discussion via the Combating Antisemitism Act 168. On October 26th, the government signed an Executive Order which we include below. We want to assure members of all provincial political parties that this is a great first step in combating antisemitism, and we hope it will be followed with education and training, monitoring and accountability reporting to remedy the situations that have given rise to increased antisemitism. By adopting the International Holocaust Education Alliance working definition of antisemitism and its illustrative examples, the Bill gives Ontario institutions and all level of government an important tool in the fight against antisemitism whether from alt right groups, extreme leftist groups or Islamists. To counter this pernicious firm of hatred a robust definition has been required. Ontario, by adopting this definition, joins the growing number of jurisdictions around the globe, including the Federal government of Canada that are committed to the struggle and to building a better society for all. CAEF and its main collaborator, Canadians for Israel’s Legal Rights, are committed to working with all Jewish organizations and allies to continue to work necessary to end antisemitism in all of its forms.
Order in Council 1450/2020 On the recommendation of the undersigned, the Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, by and with the advice and concurrence of the Executive Council of Ontario, orders that: Whereas the Government of Ontario believes that everyone deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity; And Whereas systemic racism, including antisemitism, is a persistent reality in Ontario preventing many from fully participating in society and denying them equal rights, freedoms, respect and dignity; And Whereas on May 26, 2016, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) decided at its Plenary in Bucharest to adopt a working definition of antisemitism; Now therefore the Government of Ontario adopts and recognizes the Working Definition of Antisemitism, as adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Plenary on May 26, 2016. Premier and President of the Council Approved and Ordered: October 26, 2020