Newsfeed & Content Library

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.

ALCCA Senior Criminal Litigation Counsel Rochelle Direnfeld joined Toronto Today to explain why recent protests at Bathurst and Sheppard, and marches into nearby Jewish neighbourhoods, do meet the criminal threshold for criminal intimidation and unlawful assembly.

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.

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.

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.

On Yom Kippur at Temple Sinai, Rochelle Direnfeld – ALCCA’s Senior Criminal Counsel – joined Rabbi Michael Dolgin to share updates on ALCCA’s legal work. She highlighted efforts to train police and prosecutors, support victims, and advocate for stronger hate-crime enforcement, while reviewing antisemitism trends, recent cases, Bill C-9, and the emerging concept of Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR).

A detailed legal analysis of Canada’s proposed Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9) – what it changes, what it misses, and why informed advocacy is needed.

In a new editorial, ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler warns of a nearly 500% surge in terrorism-related charges in Canada, with plots often targeting Jews and other vulnerable groups. He outlines the strain on law enforcement, Canada’s role as a hub for terrorist financing, and urgent steps for government and Parliament to take action.