In three days, we celebrate Canada Day, the 157th anniversary of the establishment of the (then) Dominion of Canada. True north, strong and free.
We cherish our country and the bedrock values that anchor the foundation of the freedoms and the responsibilities that comprise our democratic life. Since nearly the mid-point of the last century, those values have welcomed to Canadian shores a global array of cultures and communities and, over time, nurtured the building of the country, through loyal if also difficult labours, for the wide benefit of everyone lucky enough to call Canada their home.
But of late, the Jewish community is justified in asking – as much with worry as with anger and even sorrow – is the foundation of our democratic life here still stable? Are the values that support our society less than bedrock? It is well documented since October 7, that Jews and Jewish community structures have been assaulted literally and figuratively. Neither public space nor place of worship has been spared the aggression and the threats of loud-mouthed, but face-masked bullies. Many core institutions and professions of our society – have been infiltrated by haters intent on falsifying and erasing Jewish history if not also erasing Jews. Do not the haters understand if they erase Jewish history, they also erase Christian and Western history?
Moreover, this is Canada.
Such anti-democratic behaviour violates all the norms of our society. Why do so many of our elected officials appear to be unresponsive to our cries and indifferent to the zealous, unpunished chipping away at our bedrock values? Do they not see the danger such unchecked behaviour portends for everyone in the future?
The Preamble of Ontario’s Human Rights Code contains the following:
“…Whereas it is public policy in Ontario to recognize the dignity and worth of every person and to provide for equal rights and opportunities without discrimination that is contrary to law, and having as its aim the creation of a climate of understanding and mutual respect for the dignity and worth of each person so that each person feels a part of the community and able to contribute fully to the development and well-being of the community and the Province;”.
It is unlikely, however, that most members of the Jewish community would agree that these words accurately describe Ontario society today. Thus, we plead with society’s leaders to hold the haters to account for their egregious behaviours. This is the essential, core way society protects the rule of law and the underpinning values.
Another way we protect Ontario/Canada is by protecting and enhancing Jewish community life. Of this there is no doubt. As we have written often in this space, the best way to do so is through the Jewish education of our children. We must raise them to know who they are and how and why to connect with and feel part of our history and our peoplehood.
GAJE’s lawsuit against the Province of Ontario rests on the belief that the discrimination in Ontario’s educational funding is no longer appropriate 157 years after the Confederation compromise that established the system of single denominational funding in Ontario. The courts should consider whether the needs and imperatives for single denominational educational funding at the time of Confederation still make sense today.
GAJE argues there are a number of reasons that they do not. One of the key reasons is that the Confederation compromise was abandoned by Quebec in 1997. It no longer applies in Quebec. Only Ontario hues to the system that was created in 1867.
Another reason is simply this: Ontario’s refusal to end publicly acknowledged religiously-based discrimination, actually diminishes Ontario. It thus also further loosens the values – already being scraped from the foundational bedrock by masked and other haters of Israel and of Jews – on which we had always assumed life in Ontario/Canada would stand and flourish.
Thus, our celebration of Canada Day this year will be hopeful, but wary. Alas.
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The appeal by the Government of Ontario of Judge Eugenia Papageorgiou’s refusal last summer to throw out GAJE’s application for fairness in educational funding, was heard earlier this week by a panel of three judges. The court reserved its decision.
GAJE will publish the court’s decision as soon as it is known to us.
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If you wish to contribute to GAJE’s lawsuit for fairness in educational funding in Ontario, please click here.
For further information, please contact Israel Mida at: imida1818@gmail.com
Charitable receipts for donations for income tax purposes will be issued by Mizrachi Canada. Your donations will be used for the sole purpose of underwriting the costs of the lawsuit.
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Shabbat shalom.
Am Yisrael Chai.
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education (GAJE)
June 28, 2024
Grassroots for Affordable Jewish Education 