View this pdf in pdf format.  Montreal, Nov 20, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) strongly condemns the violent tactics employed by Ottawa Police during a peaceful pro-Palestinian protest on November 18, 2024. The arrests of four protesters, the disproportionate police presence, and the use of excessive force against demonstrators highlight a troubling trend of targeting pro-Palestinian voices. This crackdown, particularly against Black and Middle Eastern individuals, represents a blatant violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which guarantees the right to peaceful assembly and free expression.   Continue reading

View this pdf in pdf format. Montreal, Nov 12, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the backlash against Sir Robert Borden High School’s inclusion of an Arabic song about peace during its Remembrance Day ceremony. Following the ceremony, some parents and students, particularly within the Jewish community, expressed discomfort, claiming that the song was inappropriate and distressing. This reaction was echoed by Lisa MacLeod, Member of Provincial Parliament for Nepean, who criticized the school’s decision and called for the principal to be fired. As a result, Principal Aaron Hobbs, initially defending the decision as an effort to promote diversity and inclusion, subsequently issued a formal apology, stating that the song’s selection had caused “significant distress” and was not aligned with the values of respect and unity upheld by the school. Continue reading

View this pdf in pdf format. Montreal, Nov 05, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) strongly criticizes Canadian Heritage’s release of the IHRA Handbook, published on October 31, 2024, which purports to provide guidance to Canadian institutions on how to “practically” use the  International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism. Unfortunately, according to many critics, the IHRA definition itself conflates legitimate criticism of Israeli policies with antisemitism, potentially stifling free speech and shielding Israel from accountability. By extension, the new handbook and its guidance will further chill the Canadian discourse on Israel, particularly regarding Palestinian rights. Continue reading

View this pdf in pdf format. Montreal, Oct 15, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) for cancelling a World Mental Health Day event that was intended to address the mental health challenges faced by Palestinians, both in Palestine and in Canada. According to independent reports, this cancellation was influenced by a complaint from Canadian Women Against Antisemitism (CWAA)—an advocacy group that frequently works to silence and exclude Palestinians in Canada by falsely labeling them as antisemitic—undermines the event’s purpose. The event aimed to present a documentary and facilitate a discussion highlighting the significant mental health struggles of Palestinians. By yielding to external pressure, CAMH has engaged in a form of anti-Palestinian racism, effectively silencing and dehumanizing an entire community, and exacerbating the very mental health issues it claims to address. Continue reading

Montreal, Oct 10, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the ongoing efforts by some Canadian officials, columnists, and others to defame Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia. This targeted smearing seeks to discredit Elghawaby's work by portraying her support for the civil rights of Palestinian protestors as divisive and inappropriate.  The ARPCF points out that Elghawaby is simply doing her job in advocating for freedom of expression, including Muslims and pro-Palestinian voices in Canada. Continue reading

View this pdf in pdf format. Montreal, Oct 8, 2024 — The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) calls on Canadians institutions – school boards, universities, police departments, etc. – to extend equal concern and protection to all Canadians affected by the events in Palestine and Lebanon, over the past year.  The ARPCF is aware of statements issued by various public institutions highlighting those impacted by the “events of Oct. 7, 2023,” but often such statements appear to ignore the concerns of many ethnic Canadians.  The ARPCF points out that the events of Oct. 7, 2023 occurred in a broader context of military occupation, colonialism, foreign interference, and other influences, that have deeply affected the region for decades.  The ARPCF believes that such refusal to acknowledge this broader context is an example of anti-Palestinian racism, among other forms of racism.  Continue reading

View this pdf in pdf format. Montreal, Sep 30, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the longstanding repression of pro-Palestinian voices at York University (YU), as highlighted by the “Surveilled & Silenced” report, created by the Race Equity Caucus at York University.  Sharply intensifying since October 2023, the report made clear that this suppression targets students, faculty, and staff across all levels, blatantly disregarding their rights and academic freedoms. The ARPCF considers that historic and ongoing actions by the university administration, including policing responses to student encampments, reflect a deep-seated anti-Palestinian racism (APR) that undermines both academic integrity and freedom of expression.   Continue reading

View this pdf in pdf format. Montreal, Aug 23, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the recent campaign of defamation against Fred Hahn, President of CUPE Ontario, which is orchestrated by certain pro-Israeli factions, media outlets, and even the CUPE National Executive. This campaign maliciously accuses Hahn of antisemitism based on decontextualized comments and a misrepresentation of his legitimate criticism of Israel's policies and actions.  Continue reading

View this statement in pdf format Montreal, Aug 22, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the persistent and public anti-Palestinian actions of MP Wayne Long in Saint John, N.B. Over the past several months, MP Long has engaged in a deliberate campaign to discredit and intimidate local Palestine solidarity activists. His tactics include spreading misinformation and unfounded allegations against activists to distract from his government’s role in supporting the ongoing illegal Israeli occupation of Palestine and Israel’s human rights violations in Gaza.  Continue reading

View this statement in pdf format Montreal, Aug 09, 2024— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) condemns the sudden cancellation of a planned Palestinian folk dance performance at the New Brunswick Day celebrations in Fredericton. According to local organizers, the Palestinian folk dance performance (Dabke) was cancelled at the last minute, cloaked under the guise of 'public safety concerns' without any substantiated explanation.  Continue reading