Yesterday, Mark Sandler, Chair of the Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism, spoke at the Toronto Interfaith Summit Against Antisemitism and Hate.
It was held at City Hall and hosted by Deputy Mayor Colle, City Councillor Pasternak, and City Councillor Bradford.
Sandler was passionate in explaining how Toronto could effectively combat antisemitism.
Watch the video below, or scroll down for a summary of the key points:
Video Credit: Canadian Women Against Antisemitism (CWAA) - @cwaa_national
His points included:
Police are not powerless to address antisemitic hate activity in the city. The Criminal Code of Canada contains a wide range of offence sections available to prosecute hate activities. These sections are not confined to the most commonly cited hate speech sections of the Code, but include criminal intimidation (specifically applicable to blocking roadways), interference with the lawful use and enjoyment of property (mischief), unlawful assembly, and disguising with intent to commit an indictable offence.
The City should ensure that municipal bylaw violations relating to hate rallies are fully utilized.
The City should introduce a permit system to regulate protests. This is consistent with freedom of expression and assembly. In any event, municipal bylaw provisions exist to address the temporary occupation of streets and should be utilized.
The Mayor and City Council cannot direct charges to be laid in individual cases. But the City of Toronto can adopt policies that demonstrate zero tolerance for antisemitism.
Existing policies are inadequate, in part, because they draw upon an incomplete definition of antisemitism. Antisemitism’s modern manifestation involves the demonization of anyone who supports Israel, without distinction.
The City should adopt, without delay, the IHRA definition of antisemitism. Contrary to some misinformation being circulated, the definition does not immunize Israel, its government, policies or practices from robust criticism. Such criticism of the same type as directed against any country is not antisemitic. Demonization of all Zionists is antisemitic and should be recognized by the City as such.
The City should support the timely development by the Toronto Police Service Board of a policy on public order events, including protests, occupations and demonstrations (which currently does not exist). The policy should support the robust use of enforcement measures to address hate on our streets.
The City should support municipal legislation that places constitutionally permissible restrictions on protests in close proximity to places of worship and other vulnerable social infrastructure.