View this in pdf format Montreal, April 25, 2025 —The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) demands the resignation of Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB) Trustee Nili Kaplan-Myrth for the racist and inflammatory remarks made during an April 8 board meeting, when she declared that the mere sight of a Keffiyeh—a traditional Palestinian cultural garment—was “an act of aggression.” This statement, made in response to a presenter wearing the Keffiyeh, constitutes a clear act of anti-Palestinian racism, reinforcing harmful stereotypes and criminalizing the public expression of Palestinian identity. The ARPCF argues that such rhetoric is not only dehumanizing, but it also blatantly contradicts the OCDSB’s own Expression of Identity and Global Conflicts policy, which explicitly affirms students’ rights to wear cultural items like the Keffiyeh as a form of identity expression.    Continue reading

View this in pdf format Montreal, Apr 01, 2025 — The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) strongly condemns The Advocates’ Society’s decision to cancel a keynote speech by humanitarian advocate Tareq solely because he used the term “genocide” on social media to describe Israel’s actions in Gaza.This decision—driven by pressure from members objecting to Mr. Hadhad’s use of the word “genocide” to describe Israel’s actions—represents a blatant attempt to silence Palestinian narratives and punish those who show solidarity with the Palestinian people. Mr. Hadhad’s principled expression of concern for civilian lives, particularly children in Gaza, aligns with the positions of respected international institutions such as the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which has acknowledged in 2024 the plausibility of genocidal acts being committed in Gaza. Cancelling a speaker for echoing this reality is not only an attack on free expression—it is a denial of truth and justice.   Continue reading

View this in pdf format  Montreal, March 24, 2025— The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) strongly condemns the violent Islamophobic attack on a Muslim woman wearing a hijab at the Ajax Public Library on March 22, 2025. This horrifying assault, which occurred during Ramadan—a sacred time of reflection and peace—was not only an attack on one individual but on the safety, dignity, and rights of all Muslim women across Canada. According to police, the attacker hurled profanities, threw objects, attempted to forcibly remove the victim’s hijab, and tried to set it on fire. Continue reading

View this in pdf format Montreal, Feb 20, 2025 – The Anti-Racism Program of the CJPME Foundation (ARPCF) strongly condemns Quebec Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry’s interference in a Dawson College course on Palestine. The Minister pressured college administrators to review the content of a French course titled Palestinian Affiliations undermining academic freedom and setting a dangerous precedent for government control over curriculum. By using her political influence to challenge course content, the APRCF argues that Déry is infringing on educators’ ability to teach freely and students’ right to engage with important global issues.   Continue reading

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

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

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

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

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