A Conservative member of parliament wants to tackle antisemitism on university and college campuses.
Conservative MP Rachael Thomas tabled a motion before the House of Commons Canadian Heritage to deal with the scourge that has become especially apparent since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas last fall.
Thomas cited a rise in antisemitic rhetoric and violence on university campuses and lawsuits against six universities alleging a decades-long history of antisemitic rhetoric.
Thomas referenced the Abraham Global Peace Initiative’s Canadian Universities Antisemitism Report, which gave several universities poor grades for their efforts – or lack thereof – in addressing antisemitism.
If adopted, Thomas’ motion would compel the committee to conduct a comprehensive study into the matter and invite university presidents to be questioned on their efforts to ameliorate antisemitic hate on campus.
The committee would have to report its findings to the House of Commons upon completion of the study.
Heritage committee chair Hedy Fry adjourned the meeting before members could vote on the motion.
Canadian Jewish advocacy group Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs lauded the motion in a post on X.
“Anti-Jewish hate is at an all-time high and our youth are suffering. We call on all (Heritage committee) members to support this vital study,” the organization said.
Thomas urged Canadians to contact their MPs to support the motion.
Since the Oct. 7 massacre of over 1,100 Israelis by Hamas, universities across Canada have seen a wave of antisemitism wash over campuses, threatening the safety of Jewish students.
Several professors, student unions, teacher’s unions, and students have expressed callousness or outright support for the Oct. 7 terrorist attack.
Several universities saw Palestinian-supporting students tearing down posters of Israeli civilians who had been kidnapped by Hamas, with one individual calling the posters propaganda.
Recently, CUPE’s 4600 division representing teaching assistants, internally-funded research assistants, and contract instructors claimed that the Oct. 7 attack was “a retaliatory escalation against the current and long history of settler-colonial systemic violence.” The union was denounced by CIJA.
