Justice Committee on May 9th, 2024

Evidence of meeting #104 for Justice and Human Rights in the 44th Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was students.

A recording is available from Parliament.

On the agenda

Antisemitism and Additional Measures that Could be Taken to Address the Valid Fears that are Being Expressed by Canada’s Jewish Community

MPs speaking

Also speaking

Rachel Cook Student, As an Individual

Michael Eshayek Student, As an Individual

Nicole Nashen Student, As an Individual

Neil G. Oberman Attorney, As an Individual

Nati Pressmann Founder, Canadian Union of Jewish Students

Yos Tarshish Director, Hillel Queen's, Hillel Ontario

9:35 a.m.

Attorney, As an Individual

Neil G. Oberman

I want to be clear for everybody here. I'm no politician; I'm just a simple lawyer. You can think what you want.

When you look at action and you look at reaction, you have your answer. Everything you see here is a result of a void that's been created, and when there's ambiguity, people who hate and people who don't like, they take advantage of this. They take that as a cue to continue with their actions. When you send a bad message, you get a bad reaction.

Who's responsible for that? The government is.

9:35 a.m.

Conservative

Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON

Perfect.

Thanks, Madam Chair.

9:35 a.m.

Liberal

The Chair Liberal Lena Metlege Diab

Mr. Mendicino, you have five minutes. Go ahead, please.

May 9th, 2024 / 9:35 a.m.

Liberal

Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

I'm going to start by thanking each and every one of the students who has come before this committee. In a time of great anxiety, darkness, fear and anger, you are all a beacon of hope and optimism and courage. You are role models.

I have no doubt that at the end of this exercise, not only will we have emerged as a stronger country but each and every one of you will also have done your families very proud. I want to start by just saying that. You guys are incredible; you're an inspiration.

I am going to read from Concordia University's mission, vision and values website. It says the following:

Concordia values a secure and respectful learning environment and workplace. Concordia is committed to promoting a healthy, safe and sustainable campus and to enhancing the quality of life of the community in which we live.

I'm sure that other schools have similar policies in place.

Ms. Nashen, do you believe that your school is living up to that mission statement?

9:40 a.m.

Student, As an Individual

Nicole Nashen

No.

9:40 a.m.

Liberal

Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

Ms. Pressmann, do you?

9:40 a.m.

Founder, Canadian Union of Jewish Students

Nati Pressmann

No.

9:40 a.m.

Liberal

Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

Mr. Eshayek, do you?

9:40 a.m.

Student, As an Individual

Michael Eshayek

I'm a Concordia student and when I hear that, I don't know if I should laugh or cry.

9:40 a.m.

Liberal

Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

Ms. Cook, do you?

9:40 a.m.

Student, As an Individual

Rachel Cook

No.

9:40 a.m.

Liberal

Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

Mr. Tarshish, do you?

9:40 a.m.

Director, Hillel Queen's, Hillel Ontario

Yos Tarshish

No.

9:40 a.m.

Liberal

Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

As Jewish students, do you believe that in the course of your experience, particularly over the past several months, your right to self-determination has been undermined?

9:40 a.m.

Student, As an Individual

Nicole Nashen

Yes.

9:40 a.m.

Founder, Canadian Union of Jewish Students

Nati Pressmann

Yes.

9:40 a.m.

Student, As an Individual

Michael Eshayek

Absolutely.

9:40 a.m.

Student, As an Individual

Rachel Cook

It has been not just undermined, but openly mocked.

9:40 a.m.

Director, Hillel Queen's, Hillel Ontario

Yos Tarshish

I'm not a student, but I work with students and, yes, I see that every single day.

9:40 a.m.

Liberal

Marco Mendicino Liberal Eglinton—Lawrence, ON

In the course of your experience and as Jewish students or active members of university campuses, have you heard others claim that the existence of the state of Israel is a racist endeavour?

9:40 a.m.

Student, As an Individual

Nicole Nashen

At the encampment, I've repeatedly heard the chant, “All Zionists are racists. All Zionists are terrorists.”

9:40 a.m.

Founder, Canadian Union of Jewish Students

Nati Pressmann

Yes.

9:40 a.m.

Student, As an Individual

Michael Eshayek

Yes.