Newsfeed & Content Library

This Hate Crime & Legal Update reviews three recent cases with significant legal implications: hate-motivated offences targeting Jewish institutions in York Region and Toronto, events outside the Prosserman Jewish Community Centre in Toronto, and the Montreal conviction of activist Yves Engler for harassing a police investigator.

This week’s Legal Update examines recent hate-crime charges in Canada, a significant campus discipline ruling, and professional regulatory decisions – including select cases from outside Canada that may have important implications here. Together, these cases highlight how criminal law, institutional authority, and professional accountability are being applied in practice.

A legal update on recent criminal law developments related to antisemitism and hate in Canada, including court decisions, terrorism-related cases, hate propaganda prosecutions, and law enforcement training delivered by ALCCA.

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.

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.

Canada has issued its first conviction for Wilful Promotion of Antisemitism. Rochelle Direnfeld, ALCCA’s Senior Criminal Counsel, explains the case, its impact, and the court’s strong stance against hate.

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.