As Ontario’s provincial election approaches on February 27, the Jewish Federation of Ottawa hosted a series of roundtable discussions with Ottawa-area candidates from all major political parties.

These discussions provided an opportunity not only to learn about each party’s platform and the individual candidates’ priorities but also to ensure they understood the issues most critical to the Jewish community. Federation emphasized the importance of proactive leadership in addressing these concerns and highlighted the following key themes:

 

Community Safety and Public Order

Federation shared with candidates the alarming rise in violence and intimidation targeting Jews over the past 15 months. Jewish schools in Ontario have been shot at, synagogues firebombed, Jewish-owned businesses vandalized, and Jewish neighbourhoods, including Ottawa’s Jewish Campus, have been subjected to aggressive protests. Even more disturbingly, Jewish Ottawa was the target of an Islamic State terror plot that resulted in the arrest of two teenagers.

Increased police presence and high-cost private security funded by local communities have provided temporary protection. However, this is not a sustainable or acceptable long-term solution. Federation urged candidates to recognize that Jewish residents should not have to bear the burden of their own security and called for strong, policy-driven measures to ensure public safety and protect against both current and emerging threats.

Fighting Antisemitism in Schools

Federation also informed candidates about the troubling rise of antisemitic incidents in Ontario’s public schools. Representatives explained how Jewish and Israeli-Canadian students are increasingly facing discrimination and exclusion, issues that are often ignored or inadequately addressed by school board administrators and staff.

Federation provided concrete examples, including cases where complaints of anti-Jewish hate were left unaddressed by school principals, as well as the prevalence of divisive student activities such as walkouts, propaganda displays, and one-sided geopolitical fundraisers that create a hostile learning environment. Additionally, Federation highlighted concerns about educators engaging in geopolitical activism within classrooms and on school premises without consequence, further eroding trust in the education system.

Antisemitism on College and University Campuses

Candidates were also briefed on how antisemitism has reached crisis levels on college and university campuses, where campus leadership has largely failed to hold demonstrators, including students, administrators, and faculty, accountable for spreading hate and intimidation.

Federation stressed that freedom of expression is not limitless and that the continued justification of antisemitic rhetoric under the guise of academic freedom is unacceptable. The growing chaos on campuses is not only making Jewish students feel unsafe but is also damaging the credibility and academic standing of Ontario’s institutions. If these trends continue, Federation warned, Ontario risks losing its brightest minds to universities elsewhere.

To gain deeper insight into where each party stands on these critical issues, we invite you to read our four articles summarizing the discussions with candidates from the Green Party of Ontario, the Ontario NDP, the Liberal Party of Ontario, and the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario. These conversations provided valuable perspectives on their commitments to addressing antisemitism, community safety, and public policy affecting the Jewish community. Understanding their positions is essential as we approach election day — read the articles to make an informed decision on February 27 and make your voices here.

Federation encourages everyone in our community to exercise their democratic right and vote. Remember strong voter turnout ensures that our concerns are recognized, and our needs addressed.

To learn more about the election, including how to register to vote and your ridings, please visit the election hub created by CIJA, Federation’s advocacy partner.