CCLA is urging the Canadian Parliamentary Committee for Combating Antisemitism (the “Committee”) to adopt recommendations that recognize the importance of combating discrimination while also respecting freedom of expression. The right to equality is a paramount and fundamental right within Canadian society, and CCLA called on the Committee to combat discrimination and prejudice by ensuring an accessible legal system, reinforcing the anti-discrimination work of human rights commissions, building a human rights culture to enable counter-speech, and recommending adequate statistical monitoring of prejudice in Canada. Some may claim that some criticism of the State of Israel may be antisemitic, and there are particular concerns about the impact on university campuses. In CCLA’s view, however, censorship – particularly on university campuses – is not the solution. Rather, universities should be encouraged to provide support to any minority group that feels marginalized or threatened, and provide forums for open and productive discussions where all viewpoints can be aired.
To read CCLA’s submissions to the Committee, dated August 31, 2009, click here.
