Newsfeed & Content Library

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.

An overview of new hate crime charges, court updates, and sentencing developments in Toronto and Winnipeg — plus a look at Canada’s latest hate crime statistics.

Toronto’s Walk with Israel drew a record-breaking 56,000 participants in a peaceful celebration. Yet masked protestors caused safety concerns. Days later, a peace-focused Casa Loma gathering faced violent antisemitic threats and assaults. These incidents raise urgent questions about police response and the alarming boldness of hate-fuelled demonstrations across the city.

This week, Toronto City Council passed bubble legislation to help protect children, worshippers, and community members from harassment near vulnerable spaces. The legislation—which takes effect July 2—was approved 17–9 after much needed amendments to the draft circulated by city staff. In our editorial, ALCCA describes the new legislation, rebuts claims by its opponents, and outlines the collaborative work done that contributed to its passage.

This week’s roundup includes a disturbing case out of Halifax, where a 16-year-old is facing 33 charges—including hate promotion and weapons offences—following an alleged threat to a local high school.

Ahead of this week's Toronto City Council meeting on bubble legislation, ALCCA’s Chair, Mark Sandler, joined John Tory on Newstalk 1010 to discuss the proposed bylaw. He explained how it aims to protect vulnerable spaces – such as places of worship, schools, and daycares – without restricting protest rights. Citing legal precedent, Sandler emphasized the importance of balancing fundamental freedoms with safeguarding communities from harassment and intimidation.

Two Ontario court rulings this week revealed striking contrasts in how antisemitic conduct is addressed in the justice system.

In a detailed submission to Toronto’s Mayor and City Councillors, ALCCA Chair Mark Sandler makes the case for adopting municipal “bubble” legislation to safeguard Jewish and other vulnerable communities from targeted hate.

Project Olive Branch podcast episode sparks outrage as TPS officers make troubling comments, raising concerns over antisemitism awareness.

Harvard's settlement on antisemitism sparks calls for action in Canada. Stay tuned as ALCCA's Chair explores next steps