Note to Reader
Other than in respect of the principles set out on this website and the accompanying mission statement, each member group will undoubtedly hold views that are not shared by other members of the Alliance.
So to be clear, member groups of the Alliance do not speak for or on behalf of ALCCA, unless specifically so indicated and after authorization by ALCCA. Nor do they speak for other members unless so authorized.
Principles
The Alliance of Canadians Combatting Antisemitism (ALCCA) was formed leading up to the May 2024 Parliamentary Hearings on Antisemitism in Canada. The Alliance's mission now extends to a range of initiatives to address antisemitism in Canada, wherever it takes place.
The members of the Alliance share a deep concern about the alarming rise of antisemitism on university and college campuses across Canada. While the Committee understandably placed particular emphasis on campus-related issues, our concern is not confined to campuses. Antisemitism in primary and secondary schools is also pervasive and has contributed greatly to, if not preordained, the toxic environments on too many campuses.
All Alliance members believe that respectful dialogue initiatives on campuses represent an important way to reduce both antisemitism and other forms of hatred.
Our Mission
Our Strength
The strength of the Alliance lies in the wealth of expertise and experience of its members, as well as its diversity. By way of illustration only, Alliance members view this issue through the intersecting perspectives of Indigenous leaders, Catholics and Muslims; organizations representing doctors, professors, academics, lawyers, national security experts, Jewish women, equity experts, human rights advocates, Jewish students, parents and families, NGOs, Temple Sinai, a media monitor, and several groups involved in respectful dialogues.
What We Mean By Antisemitism
Robust criticism of Israel and its government in a manner consistent with how other states are criticized does not constitute antisemitism. However, the demonization of the State of Israel as a Jewish democratic state and/or the demonization of all Zionists without distinction does fall under antisemitism. This is consistent with the IHRA definition of antisemitism adopted by Canada. It is well established in Canadian human rights jurisprudence that speech or conduct may be antisemitic in effect or impact, whether or not it is intentionally antisemitic.
What We Do
Although the Alliance's mission began through assisting the Parliamentary Committee in its work, its mission continues to educate Canadians, our institutions and governments about the nature and prevalence of antisemitism and to identify and participate in timely and effective measures to counter it. The Alliance’s members have proposed a wide range of recommendations for change that include direct action by the federal government or indirect action through facilitating or otherwise supporting action by provincial, territorial, Indigenous and municipal governments, educational institutions, law enforcement and national security agencies, prosecution services, human rights commissions, professional associations and others. The Alliance has also created a comprehensive digital archive contributed to by its members and other NGOs that documents antisemitic activities across the country. The continuing project recognizes the need for a nationwide collection of hate activities, in the absence of a national database or conformity to a standardized definition of antisemitic activities.