By Artur Wilcznski
On August 16th, CHES Chair Mina Cohn and CHES Board Member Artur Wilczynski met with Ontario Education Minister, Stephen Lecce and Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Michael Ford, to discuss the rise of antisemitism in Ottawa schools and the importance of strengthening Holocaust education across the province. The Ministers were joined by MPPs, Patrice Barnes and Matthew Rae, as well as members of their staff. The meeting was facilitated by Marilyn Sinclair of Liberation 75.
The ministers took time away from the Association of Ontario Municipalities conference to meet with us. During the meeting, Mina shared background information about CHES and thanked the Ministers for the opportunity to express our concerns about the rise in antisemitism in Ottawa schools. She shared examples of the various incidents and reiterated our community’s concern about the spike in antisemitic incidents at the OCDSB in the aftermath of flare-ups in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict in 2021.
Mina described the Unpacking Complexity in the Classroom project developed in partnership with the OCDSB and its value in assisting administrators and teachers to address antisemitism. In the conversation that followed, Artur asked the ministers for three actions:
- Integrate combatting antisemitism into broader school programming to eliminate all forms of discrimination.
- Work with the Jewish community to strengthen and broaden the reach of Holocaust Education.
- Invite CHES to brief senior officials in the Ministry of Education on Unpacking Complexity in the Classroom.
Minister Lecce spoke about his personal commitment to Holocaust education and combatting antisemitism. He specifically expressed concern about the rise of right-wing extremists and neo-Nazis. He pointed out how the Ontario government had adopted the IHRA definition of antisemitism. He reiterated that this was the beginning of the conversation and that he would continue to be engaged. Minister Lecce also said that Ontario Solicitor General, Michael Kerzner, would be a key actor in the conversation.
Minister Ford expressed his deep concern about antisemitism and said the Ontario Anti-Racism Directorate would play a key role in working on the issue. He and Minister Lecce spoke about the spike in hate crimes targeting the Jewish community and the importance to address this development. The engagement of both ministers is significant, and CHES will be following up with each to continue the dialogue.
