Antisemitism envoy axing could make Jewish Canadians less safe, says former Liberal minister

Former justice minister Irwin Cotler said Prime Minister Mark Carney's decision to eliminate the antisemitism envoy role is "uninformed" and will make Jewish Canadians less safe; the government said it will replace the envoys with an advisory council on "rights, equality and inclusion" but has provided few details.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's government has eliminated Canada's special envoy positions on antisemitism and Islamophobia and said it will replace them with an advisory council on "rights, equality and inclusion." Former justice minister Irwin Cotler, who served as Canada's first envoy on Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism from 2020 to 2023, described the move as "uninformed" and warned it would make Jewish Canadians less safe. The government statement offered limited details about the advisory council, and it did not specify its budget, membership or compensation for members. Key points: - The federal government announced it is ending the separate envoy offices on antisemitism and Islamophobia and plans a new advisory council focused on national unity and inclusion. - Irwin Cotler said abolishing the special-envoy role is "uninformed, ill-advised and prejudicial" and warned it could marginalize the distinct nature of anti-Jewish hatred. - The antisemitism envoy post had been vacant since Deborah Lyons retired in July; the Islamophobia envoy Amira Elghawaby's office was also dissolved a year before her term ended. - Officials provided few details about the replacement council, and community groups including the National Council of Canadian Muslims and B'nai Brith Canada expressed disappointment and concern. Summary: The government has removed two dedicated envoy offices and announced a new advisory council, prompting criticism from Irwin Cotler and reactions from community groups; concrete details about the council's mandate and resources were not provided. Undetermined at this time.