“While the long-term impacts of the current crisis cannot be easily predicted, it is clear that this conflict has raised tensions within our society . . . Violent rhetoric from extremist actors has increased since the attack by Hamas and, as the conflict continues to unfold, it is possible that these events could impact certain individuals’ intent to mobilize to violence." — Eric Balsam, CSIS spokesperson, CSIS warns of potential violence in Canada from ’extremist actors’ over Israel-Hamas war, National Post, May 6, 2024
With rising antisemitim across Canada, including in my own community, Port Moody—Coquitlam, I was in the process of meeting with local authorities and community members on this issue. As a former MP, I began drafting a civilian petition through the House of Commons. I wanted to address the rise of antisemitism, the lack of action from authorities to stop the spread of threats, and the dangerous implications this may have, not only on normalizing persecution of Jews in Canada, but on public safety and national security.
Unfortunately, I was diagnosed with severe pneumonia in April. After two visits to ER in one week, I had to pause work on the petition and everything else I was doing. But as I observed the intensifying public expression of Jew-hate, support for Hamas, intimidation of students on campus, disruption of public peace and order, reports about paid protesters and terrorist roots behind some of the antisemitic hate propaganda, I couldn’t just stay in bed.
I knew these problems would only worsen by the day. They could create a public safety nightmare and a growing national security threat to Canada without proper intervention from our decision makers.
So whatever small windows of energy and clarity I had, I was compelled to use my capacity toward completing the petition as a first step. I had input from a human rights lawyer and a former CSIS intelligence analyst in the drafting stages. What would have normally taken a week and a half to push out the door took a month and a half.
I was relieved like a marathon runner approaching the finish line when I received notification that the petition is publicly available for signatures. It was an uphill battle both physically and mentally. But I am grateful for the support I received in the drafting of the petition and the sponsorship of Marc Dalton, MP for Pitt Meadows—Maple Ridge.
The current crisis is no longer just about the Israel-Hamas War or differing ideologies about Israel, Palestine and statehood. Conflicts in the Middle East have been imported to Canadian soil and it’s bringing harm and destabilization to our society.
While the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedom allows for peaceful protest, the Criminal Code forbids harm, violence and proliferation of hate. The Criminal Code also contains anti-terrorism laws.
We are all Canadians regardless of our political, religious or cultural views. We also have an obligation to protect the freedom, peace and opportunities we've all come here to enjoy, whether through ancestry centuries ago or via immigration five years ago. Freedom comes with responsibility. Regardless of what is happening in the Middle East, we have an obligation to maintain peace, order and unity in our own home, Canada.
The current state of heightening hostilities and public disorder in response to the Israel-Hamas War can be resolved if we understand these 5 basic principles:
1. The rule of law requires enforcement of our laws.
2. Passion doesn't justify crime.
3. Grievances about the Israel-Hamas War shouldn't be projected onto the Jewish Canadian community. This is scapegoating and persecution.
4. Calculating political optics and expediency shouldn't cause authorities to stall enforcement of existing laws and deny Jewish Canadians the justice and protection they are lawfully entitled to under the Charter and Criminal Code. Jewish Canadians are Canadians and should be viewed and treated as Canadians, nothing less.
5. Canada has little authority to contribute to a peace process anywhere else in the world if we ourselves are a divided nation.
The petition below is only one small step in the journey ahead, but it is a place to start. If you are a Canadian citizen (living in Canada or abroad) or a resident in Canada, I would like to invite you to contribute your part.
Please read, sign and share the link(s) with your friends and family to send a strong message to the Prime Minister that Canada's majority are peace loving and won't tolerate persecution of our Jewish neighbours, our fellow Canadians, with whom we work and do life.
I hope you will add your voice to also tell the House of Commons that it’s time to come back to the basics of Canadian values, the rule of law and protecting all Canadians from threats abroad and from those incited from within our own borders.
Petition in English:
Petition in French:
Regardless of who is sitting in government, ultimately, it is the people who have the power to hold our elected officials to account and our equal obligation to stand on guard for our nation.
Thank you for your patriotism.
May God bless you and your loved ones. May he keep our nation, Canada, strong and free.
Nelly Shin
Former Member of Parliament
Port Moody-Coquitlam, Anmore and Belcarra
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