This week, the Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism was publicly released. It was developed by the Government of Canada in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy for Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism.
The International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is an intergovernmental organization with 35 Member Countries and 9 Observer Countries that was founded in 1998 by former Swedish Prime Minister Göran Persson to address issues related to the Holocaust and genocide of the Roma. The IHRA definition is the most authoritative and comprehensive definition in the world today. It has been adopted by 42 other countries, and many others, including Canadian provinces, cities, towns and townships listed in the handbook.
Key moments:
In 2019, the Government of Canada adopted the non-legally binding IHRA definition as part of its anti-racism strategy.
In 2021, the Government committed itself to “continue to enhance the adoption and implementation of the working definition.”
In 2022, the Government undertook that it would develop and publish this handbook. The Prime Minister indicated that the handbook will “support the adoption, understanding, and practical use of the [IHRA] definition across Canada.”
And now in 2024, the Government has released the Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.
The publication of the handbook represents an important step – but only a step – in combatting antisemitism across the country:
The handbook is only meaningful if it is used to guide anti-racism policies and codes of conduct at schools and universities.
It is only meaningful if it educates and informs those who design DEI programs in our private and public institutions.
It is only meaningful if it is utilized to promote greater understanding in law enforcement circles of the scourge of antisemitism, and its modern manifestations.
Make no mistake - its adoption and use will be bitterly attacked because it recognizes the right of Jewish self-determination. And because it explains that modern antisemitism is often manifested by demonizing Israel – through denying its very existence and legitimacy, and by demonizing all Zionists, without distinction, including 91% of Canadian Jews who support Jewish self-determination in Israel.
The campaign against the IHRA definition is largely based on the false claim that the definition immunizes Israel from criticism, and as such, is invalid, even racist. The handbook exposes that this is untrue. The working definition is clear that criticism of Israel, its policies and practices is not antisemitic. Israel is not immune – nor should it be – from the same types of criticism levelled against any country. But the definition’s opponents are unencumbered by the facts.
I commend Deborah Lyons, the Government of Canada, and many others responsible for the publication of this handbook. Our community and allies must now commit to promoting its use to combat antisemitism across the country.
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November 10 Update – Take Action
1. Please read the handbook so that you are familiar with its contents.
2. Widely distribute the link to the handbook to others, such as your contacts, friends, and family. It is important that the handbook’s contents be familiar not only to members of the Jewish community but also to our allies.
3. Identify a small number of decision-makers, particularly those of particular relevance to you, such as your school trustee, MP, MPP, mayor, city manager, city councillor. Send the handbook link to them with a brief cover note that reflects that the Government of Canada has released the handbook, in partnership with the Office of the Special Envoy, and that you request that the recipients advise you how they and their organizations intend to utilize and implement the handbook to guide their specific policies, programs, and practices.
4. Keep us informed as to how the recipients respond.
About the Author
Mark Sandler, LL.B., LL.D. (honoris causa), ALCCA’s Chair, is widely recognized as one of Canada’s leading criminal lawyers and pro bono advocates. He has been involved in combatting antisemitism for over 40 years. He has lectured extensively on legal remedies to combat hate and has promoted respectful Muslim-Jewish, Sikh-Jewish and Black-Jewish dialogues. He has appeared before Parliamentary committees and in the Supreme Court of Canada on multiple occasions on issues relating to antisemitism and hate activities. He is a former member of the Ontario Human Rights Tribunal, a three-time elected Bencher of the Law Society of Ontario, and recipient of the criminal profession’s highest honour, the G. Arthur Martin Medal, for his contributions to the administration of criminal justice.