ARPCF Statements
The following are statements made by the Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) in response to select incidents of racism in Canada. While the ARPCF is prepared to respond to any form of racism, its focal area of expertise is in anti-Palestinian racism (APR), anti-Arab racism, and Islamophobia.
ARPCF Condemns Vancouver Public Library's Ban on Watermelon Pins
View this in pdf format
Montreal, Jan 21, 2025 — The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) is deeply concerned by the Vancouver Public Library's (VPL) decision to ban staff from wearing watermelon pins, a symbol of solidarity with Palestinians. This policy contradicts the library’s stated commitment to inclusion and safety by singling out Palestinian symbols, creating an unsafe environment for staff and community members, and marginalizing Palestinian voices.
Continue reading
ARPCF’s Statement on the 8th Anniversary of the Québec Mosque Shooting
View this in pdf format
Montreal, Jan 29, 2025 — The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) solemnly remembers the devastating attack on the Québec City Mosque -- Canada’s deadliest act of violence in a place of worship -- and expresses its unwavering solidarity with the victims’ families and the Muslim community. Today marks the 8th anniversary of the shooting, where six Muslim men lost their lives. On this National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia, we reminder ourselves of the persistence of Islamophobia in Canada and the urgent need to combat it.
Continue reading
The ARPCF deeply concerned about the Parliamentary reports on Islamophobia and Antisemitism
View this in pdf format.
expresses grave concern over the contradictory recommendations in the Parliamentary reports on Islamophobia and Antisemitism issued by the Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST). While the reports acknowledge the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association (ACLA) definition of anti-Palestinian racism (APR) in one instance, they simultaneously propose measures that suppress pro-Palestinian advocacy, conflating legitimate criticism of Israel with antisemitism.
Continue reading
New report finds sharp rise in anti-Palestinian racism in 2023
View this in pdf format
Montreal, December 9, 2024 — The Anti-Racism program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) today released a joint report on anti-Palestinian racism (APR) in Canada, documenting 988 incidents of APR in 2023—a staggering near-doubling from 506 incidents reported in 2022. In an alarming find, the study revealed that APR surged proportionately eightfold following October 7, 2023, coinciding with the launch of Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
Continue reading
ARPCF Demands Protest Rights Protection Amidst Police Repression in Ottawa
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
ARPCF condemns Ontario school’s reversal on use of Arabic-language song about peace
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
Government handbook’s defense of Israel does not address anti-Semitism
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
ARPCF Condemns CAMH for Cancelling Palestinian Mental Health Event
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
ARPCF Condemns Smear Attacks on Amira Elghawaby
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
Many Canadian Institutions’ response on Oct. 7th is Discriminatory
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