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.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Do you think the government has done enough to protect Jewish students or to have anybody enforce the law on campus? Answer with just a yes or a no.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
How many Canadian flags do you estimate you have you seen at any of these protests on campus?
9:35 a.m.
Student, As an Individual
It's not just at protests: There are very few Canadian flags at all, if not any.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
What an abject failure, first of all, by universities, and an abject failure by the government, frankly, to hold them to account with the money they provide in granting councils, in Canada research chair money and in operational funding at all. What an abject failure by the government to call this out for what it is.
I just want to show you something. This is a member of Parliament who stood with somebody who denies the Holocaust, with somebody who denies October 7, and who stood up with you at a press conference yesterday. These are two ministers in our government that have a voice at the table. Do you think pictures like this help? Yes or no?
Rachel.
9:35 a.m.
Founder, Canadian Union of Jewish Students
Last time I checked, I don't have to say yes or no. I don't think that's necessarily relevant to what we're discussing right now. Obviously, the community is harmed by that picture, but I think—
9:35 a.m.
Student, As an Individual
I'd like to be asked a question about my experience on campus.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
Yes.
Neil, I just want to bring you into this discussion.
9:35 a.m.
Attorney, As an Individual
The problem here is that when people speak out of both sides of their mouth, they give no answers. The reality is that's why I had to go to court to get a neutral arbiter to make a decision to help these people. Every time I look at these poor students, I think to myself what has Canada come to? How is it that when I open my door in the morning and I look outside, I don't recognize my city. I don't know where I live.
I don't recognize my city.
But I will tell you this. Forget about the politics for a moment. Let's talk about what the police are doing. How is there no policy in place for police to enforce existing laws?
Why is it that in 2024 we need a committee to have these students come here so you can hear what's happening?
I will leave you with this. Words have meaning. When people say things that are not right, they impact all of us. I want to point out to this honourable committee that on March 4 words had many meanings, but more importantly bombs, threats, violence and aggression are not Canada.
It's not Quebec. It's not Canada.
I stand against hate, but one thing is for certain, Ms. Lantsman. If these young people leave, there will be no committee in the future. This is your future. These are your people.
Please, whatever you do, stop what's going on. McGill is an example of what happens when you do nothing. You cannot sit on a fence, act neutral and eat chocolate and expect things to solve themselves. This isn't partisanship; this is reality.
9:35 a.m.
Conservative
Melissa Lantsman Conservative Thornhill, ON
I want to know if you believe that the government's rhetoric and its policy choices have done anything to protect the Jewish community, or has it put them in danger.