Submissions

This brief is respectfully submitted on behalf of concerned Canadian scholars and researchers in response to a proposal put forward to this Committee that constitutes outside interference in the governance of scholarly research and threatens academic freedom and integrity.

We write as the Steering Committee of the Jewish Faculty Network, a national network of Jewish scholars formed in opposition to the adoption of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism at our universities. The IHRA definition of antisemitism has been used to suppress legitimate free speech, criticism of actions of the State of Israel, and advocacy for Palestinian rights. By inaccurately and dangerously conflating criticism of Israel with antisemitism, the definition perpetuates Anti-Palestinian racism. Our statement in opposition to the IHRA has been signed by over 200 Jewish university faculty members at universities across Canada.

As members of the Steering Committee of the Jewish Faculty Network, we write with regard to Bill 166, the “Strengthening Accountability and Student Support Act, 2024” which amends the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Act.