File Photo of Lanark County Council Chambers (Lanark County Photo)
At Lanark County’s Community Service Committee meeting a delegation requested councillors support a resolution condemning harassment, hatred, and discrimination targeting religion, race, or ethnicity. Their resolution included a call to address the rise in antisemitism. One of the presenters, Gardner Church noted that while many Ontario municipalities have passed the resolution, no counties have to date.
County councillors were divided into two groups when debating the resolution motion. Some supported it as presented, while others wished to shorten it considerably by removing any mention of antisemitism and to simply support the condemnation of all discrimination and hate regardless of a specific religion.
In the end, council voted to have staff rewrite the motion to capture council’s views during the debate and bring it back to the next meeting. You can read the entire motion below.
Concerning Reinforcing Human Values in Canada by Condemning Rising Rates of Rates of Racism, Hate and Particularly Antisemitism in Canada
Whereas hate directed against any group is unacceptable in Canada; and Whereas Canada has experienced periods when discrimination and prejudice against visible minorities, ethnic, racialized and marginalized communities were prevalent, and recognizes the importance of ensuring such injustices are not repeated; and Whereas police reported hate crimes targeting individuals’ religion, race or ethnicity have increased significantly across Canada; and
Whereas there has also been a disturbing rise in antisemitism and antisemitic crimes across Canada including acts of harassment, vandalism and hatred targeting Jews and the Jewish community; and
Whereas such acts of hate are antithetical to the values of inclusivity, respect and safety that define our communities and violate the fundamental right of all Canadians to live free from discrimination and fear; and
Whereas Lanark County is committed to fostering a safe and welcoming environment for all residents regardless of faith, ethnicity or background; and
Whereas it is imperative that all levels of government and communities across Canada take decisive action to combat antisemitism and all forms of hatred;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT The Council of Lanark County:
1. Condemns the rise in hate in Canada and unequivocally denounces all forms of harassment, hatred and discrimination targeting religion race or ethnicity;
2. Adopts the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism, in alignment with the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario;
3. Commits to promoting inclusivity, tolerance and respect within Lanark County through education, community engagement and collaboration with local organizations to combat antisemitism and all forms of hatred;
4. Urges other municipalities across Ontario an Canada to adopt similar resolutions condemning hate and endorsing the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism and implementing measures to protect and support all residents;
5. Calls upon the Government of Ontario and Canada to take immediate and meaningful action to address the rise in antisemitism , including but not limited to:
a. Strengthening hate crime legislation and enforcement;
b. Supporting educational initiatives to combat hate and promote understanding, incorporating the IHRA definition;
c. Providing resources to communities and organizations to enhance community safety and well-being;
d. Engaging with Jewish community leaders to develop effective strategies to counter hatred and discrimination;
6. Calls upon all Counties and Regions in Ontario to join Lanark County in support of this resolution in an effort to reduce levels of intolerance; and
7. Directs that this resolution be sent to all municipalities in Ontario, the Association o Municipalities of Ontario, The Premier of Ontario, The Prime Minister of Canada and local Members of Parliament and Members of Provincial Parliament for their consideration and action.
Story by Brian Turner