After the Election: A Message of Purpose, Unity, and Resolve
- Mark Sandler
- May 4
- 3 min read
Canada’s recent federal election has produced a Liberal minority government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney. The Conservative Party’s showing in popular vote and in elected members also provides it with an opportunity to hold government accountable for its decisions – and for all those who were elected to work together in Canada’s public interest.
While the overall electoral results left some in our community disappointed, the Jewish community and its allies were actively engaged, locally, regionally and federally, and should be commended for their participation.
ALCCA is a non-partisan organization – and must remain so. Our non-partisan advocacy allows us to credibly speak to those in power, regardless of political party. Combatting antisemitism should be the common cause of all elected officials. Those of us engaged in addressing the staggering levels of antisemitism and hate-motivated crimes in Canada must seek out and work with allies in all parties, regardless of our personal political affiliations or perspectives. We can’t burn bridges; we have to build them.
We were heartened to see that several important allies were elected. I will not single them all out, but wish to acknowledge two newly elected members Tamara Kronis and Roman Baber, both of whom have worked closely with Jewish organizations, including ALCCA, and demonstrated courage and clarity in standing up against antisemitism.
Congratulations as well to Anthony Housefather and Melissa Lantsman for their re-election. We know that - from their differing political perches - both will continue to be powerful advocates against Jew hatred and in favour of effective government action to protect the safety and security of the community.
Shortly before the election, a National Forum on Antisemitism took place in Ottawa. Many community organizations were represented. At the Forum, I presented a discussion paper that outlined deficiencies in how municipal, provincial and federal governments, as well as law enforcement, are responding to unprecedented levels of antisemitism and listed a number of calls to action for governments and police. The federal government made several commitments at the end of the Forum that, while justifiably regarded as incomplete or insufficient, represent action items it undertook to do.
The House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights issued a critically important report that documented the prevalence of antisemitism, particularly on campuses and in schools, and made 19 recommendations for change. Many of our member organizations contributed to that work through testimony or written submissions, and their work figured prominently in the final report’s content. These recommendations also represent action items.
The Senate Standing Committee on Human Rights, also mandated to examine antisemitism, has not yet issued a report. It necessarily ended its work in progress when Parliament was prorogued in anticipation of the election. Its public hearings had only commenced. It is important that the Senate Committee be reconstituted as soon as possible to continue its work.
It is apparent that there is no shortage of action items for government to pursue to address on an urgent basis the scourge of antisemitism in this country. In the aftermath of the federal election, government has an opportunity to recalibrate, fulfill the commitments it has already made to protect our community and do so much more.
We congratulate all elected candidates, including Prime Minister Carney. While the economic threat to Canada that figured so prominently in the election represents one of Canada’s most pressing issues, it must also be recognized that Canada’s democratic values require that combatting antisemitism be central to how government seeks to vindicate those values.
Every new Parliament offers a fresh chance to do better. Let us seize the moment – together.
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.