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They're currently being studied in committeeLast updated 6 minutes ago Anti-Israel protesters hold a rally at Toronto Metropolitan University in 2024. Photo by Peter J. Thompson/National PostAnother horrific report was released this week about institutionalized antisemitism at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU).Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorIts primary author, retired judge Mary Lou Benotto, is no wallflower, and she did not mince words in her assessment: “The review finds that the events of Oct. 7, 2023, in Israel fundamentally altered the experience of campus life for many members of the university community. Jewish students, faculty and staff described hostility toward Jewish identity and Zionism that crossed into intimidation, dehumanization and antisemitism.”The review found “symptoms of a deteriorating campus climate that, absent decisive institutional action, are likely to recur.” But this is nothing new. In 2016, I met with TMU’s president, Mohamed Lachemi, to warn him about reports I was receiving from Jewish students over rising antisemitism. At the time, Lachemi seemed receptive to fixing the growing problem of antisemitism on his campus.The National Post newsletter that doesn’t hold back, giving readers the unvarnished truth on media, politics and culture.By signing up, you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Right? will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try againBut the Canadian method is to “kick the can down the road” with yet another study rather than implement necessary measures to fix the antisemitism problem. During his now infamous antisemitism speech in June at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new ministerial advisory council that would “reassess” and “measure” antisemitism from “four different directions.” The council has done zilch to date.At this point, Canadians have seen a plethora of studies on the subject, but very little action. Last year, the government released the “Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.” It noted that, “Over 150 individuals were consulted, including Jewish community leaders, the Canadian delegation to the IHRA, rabbis, academics and teachers, lawyers, civil servants and political staff, and law enforcement personnel.”Yet handbooks and reports are only as good as their implementation. In April 2026, the standing Senate committee on human rights released its own report titled “Standing United Against Antisemitism,” which provided 22 recommendations. Like numerous other reports now collecting dust, it stated the obvious: a surge in hate crimes, an erosion of safety and an increase in Holocaust denial, among other critical issues.When will these reports end and action commence? Just last week, another government report found that 95.7 per cent of 900 Jewish students interviewed experienced some form of antisemitism over the past year, while 84 per cent considered antisemitism a serious problem at universities. Taking this to account, my column last week focused on how students and their parents should adapt to campus life this fall.In her report, Benotto recommended eight easily achievable recommendations that TMU can immediately implement. Among them is the common-sense prohibition of intimidation, harassment and discrimination as part of free speech. She also called for new mechanisms around protests and, most significantly, the enforcement of TMU’s student code of conduct.Instead of quickly moving to adopt these recommendations, the university called for another study to study the findings. In a statement, Lachemi announced a new “task force” and appointed Bob Rae to “carefully consider and respond to every recommendation” by March 2027.So the university first hired a former judge to provide a report on antisemitism. Then it hired a former ambassador to take seven months to provide an “implementation blueprint.” Will it then follow the Carney playbook and appoint an advisory council to figure out how to implement the task force’s recommendations on the first recommendations?National PostAvi Benlolo is the chairman and CEO of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative, a Canadian think-tank promoting freedom and democracy. 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Avi Benlolo: Canadians don't need more reports on antisemitism — we need action
We now have a plethora of reports all saying the same thing. They're currently being studied in committee
1,081 words~5 min read






