Mr. Chairman, we thank the committee for inviting us to appear. My colleague David Matas, our senior legal counsel, will elaborate on some of our key points, particularly on the legal issues.
B’nai Brith Canada is this country’s oldest national Jewish organization, founded in 1875, with a proud history of defending the human rights of Canadian Jews and all Canadians across the country. We advocate for the interests of the grassroots Jewish community in Canada, and for their rights, such as freedom of conscience and freedom of religion.
I want to provide some context. On October 18, we testified before the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage in its study of Motion M-103 on systemic racism and religious discrimination. We noted that since 1982, B’nai Brith Canada has published the “Annual Audit of Antisemitic Incidents” in Canada, copies of which I understand are available to the committee.
Over a five-year period, anti-Semitism has been on the rise. Statistics Canada has reported that in 2015, the most recent year with complete figures, Jews were the most targeted group in this country for hate crimes, a serious trend that has been ongoing for nine years. Our hope is that the committee will continue to bear in mind that Canada’s most targeted religious minority in terms of hate speech and hate crimes is the Jewish community.
We have followed closely the government’s initiative to modernize the Criminal Code, including its plans to deal with provisions that are considered out of date or redundant. Our focus has been, as you've heard this afternoon from other groups, on the intention to repeal section 176. We have received approaches from Jewish community members about this, and we seek to represent them. They have raised questions about this intended repeal of section 176 and whether it represents a weakening of provisions in the Criminal Code that protect faith leaders, religious gatherings, and places of worship.
Section 176, although not perfect in language, provides clear penalties for those who threaten or interfere with faith leaders during religious ceremonies, or who interrupt or disrupt religious gatherings. We have concerns over repeal of section 176, in the context of the signal that such a step would convey in today’s environment where anti-Semitism remains a serious challenge, and where Canadians have been witness to acts of intimidation directed at religious institutions and leaders, and not just those from the Jewish community.
We've had very productive exchanges with officials who have been working on Bill C-51's provisions. We have welcomed their assurances that there is no intention to decriminalize the behaviour set forth in section 176 of the Criminal Code. It has been explained to us carefully that there are other Criminal Code sections that would apply with equal penalties, and we have noted the assurances expressed carefully by the Minister of Justice on this point. We acknowledge these assurances, but believe that, in today’s context, we must exercise great care in taking actions that can be misinterpreted, however well intentioned. In short, we believe it is in the interests of Canadians that there be no vacuum.
We believe that the protections and the penalties for actions captured in section 176 must remain clear and unequivocal, such that they meet the requirements of contemporary Canadian society. One option we believe could be considered is to retain section 176 with modernized language. There could also be examination of strengthening and amplifying the applicable sentencing guidelines. I believe Mr. MacGregor raised this in the last section.
My colleague David Matas will elaborate on our position, but I want to thank you, Mr. Chairman.
B’nai Brith Canada assures the committee members that we wish to contribute constructively as your work proceeds. Thank you.