University Administrator and Police Quotes on the supposed danger of rising anti-Semitism
Last year, Canadian University Presidents and Police Chiefs were invited to present testimony to the Canadian Parliamentary Coalition to Combat Antisemitism (CPCCA) about "the growing problem of antisemitism at Canadian Universities" and to "explain to the panel what can be done about it" (CPCCA News Releases, November 12 and 19, 2009).
However, a lot of the testimony received did not go in the direction that Harper, Kenney and Cotler wanted. They were told quite clearly that there is no evidence to support the claim that Anti-Semitism is on the rise on Canadian campuses, but a real concern about stifling free speech. A report of the CPCCA's findings, scheduled for Spring 2010, has yet to be released, and a follow-up conference of the Inter-parliamentary Coalition for Combating Antisemitism, held in Ottawa in November 2010, was closed to the public.
Mr. Robert Steiner, Assistant Vice-President, University of Toronto
[Start: 04:56] There is no evidence of generalized anti-Semitism on U of T’s campuses. There is no evidence of Jewish students being systemically harassed and intimidated on our campuses. There is no evidence that it is dangerous to be a pro-Israeli student, faculty member, or staff member on our campuses—in fact, quite the opposite. [End: 05:13]
Sources
Prof. Patrick Monahan, Vice-President Academic and Provost, York University
[Start: 11:13] We look for political leaders, such as you, community leaders, and community organizations to show leadership, balance, and moderation in their expression of views, as opposed to taking extreme positions that are not supported by evidence. [End: 11:35] … [Start: 12:44] That is a concern we have. Obviously, I speak as a representative of this university. We would hope that your report and the work of your committee would not in any way contribute further to it. [End: 13:07]
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Dr. Morton Mendelson, Deputy Provost of Student Life and Learning, McGill University
[Start: 22:49] Accepting and protecting another's right to express a point of view does not preclude our right to express our own opposing opinion. But there is a crucial difference between expressing disagreement and preventing others from presenting their views in the first place. Keeping others from speaking, or otherwise stifling debate or exploration, violates the concept of free speech that is fundamental to a university, and thereby attacks the very core of the academy. [End: 23:21]
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Dr. Jack Lightstone, President and Vice-Chancellor, Brock University
[Start: 39:52] We can't look into the soul of someone and say, “Your criticism of Israel
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Chief Clive Weighill, Chief of Police, Saskatoon
[Start: 23:43] It would be my opinion that in the city of Saskatoon
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Sergeant John Burchill, Winnipeg
[Start: 35:24] Unpopular, distasteful, and even offensive expressions are not criminal. Clearly, an expression must go a long way before it qualifies as hateful in the criminal sense. [End: 35:34]
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