Newsfeed & Content Library

In this week’s legal update, ALCCA’s Senior Criminal Counsel Rochelle Direnfeld examines three significant developments impacting community safety: arrests following disruptive protests at the Munk Debate, shifting enforcement strategies at Bathurst and Sheppard as counter-protesters continue to target a Jewish neighbourhood, and the ongoing investigation into the theft of dozens of mezuzahs from a seniors’ residence.

An update on the criminal case involving the vandalism of Canada’s National Holocaust Monument, including recent court submissions and ALCCA’s coordinated Community Impact Statement outlining the profound impact on Jewish communities and allies across the country.

In this week’s Hate Crime & Legal Update, we report on additional charges laid arising out of the November 5 forced entry by masked intruders into a private event near TMU, and two other arrests in assault and criminal harassment cases related to ALCCA's mandate.

Days after the violent assault on Jewish students and guests at a private event, five individuals have been charged with multiple offences. ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler’s legal report outlines the existing charges, what the ongoing police investigation should address, and the university as a breeding ground for extremist conduct. He also cites the Toronto Star reporting on this violent assault as a case study in media bias.

Recent terrorism-related cases in Canada and abroad reveal an urgent need for stronger enforcement, prevention, and policy action. In this joint article, ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler – and Senior Criminal Counsel Rochelle Direnfeld – examine new threats – from ISIS-inspired plots to domestic extremism – and present ALCCA’s 11 updated Calls to Action to strengthen Canada’s response to terrorism and violent hate.

In this week’s legal update, ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler highlights a jail sentence for public incitement of hatred against Jews, a guilty plea in a Neo-Nazi terrorism case linked to violent hate crimes worldwide, and Toronto police’s use of criminal law measures to address unlawful protests and demonstrations.

This week’s Hate Crime & Legal Update covers the sentencing of Omar Elkhodary for an antisemitic assault in Toronto and a hate-motivated stabbing arrest in Ottawa.

Two recent cases in Montreal highlight growing concerns around hate-motivated and extremist activity. A man has been charged with criminal harassment and death threats following antisemitic remarks, while a youth faces terrorism-related charges tied to alleged plans to act on behalf of the Islamic State.

This legal update examines the Montreal assault case and a Victoria hate incitement charge, highlighting key issues in Canada’s response to antisemitic crime.

In this in-depth legal analysis, ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler joins Senior Criminal Counsel Rochelle Direnfeld and veteran criminal lawyer Cynthia Fromstein to examine the sentencing decision in R. v. Akbari. The authors explain why, in their view, the sentence imposed failed to adequately address the need for general deterrence and denunciation.