Federal Election: Help ensure Jewish community issues and priorities are understood and appreciated

By Allyson Grant

CIJA

The federal election campaign is now in full throttle in anticipation of Election Day, October 21. The preceding weeks will provide many opportunities to engage with local candidates seeking support at community events, townhalls, or front doors – and it is important for all candidates to hear from the Jewish community.

By combining our voices, we are more likely to be heard. After consultation with grassroots community members, Jewish agencies, organizations and institutions, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the advocacy agency for the Jewish Federation of Ottawa, has identified several key issues for discussion with your local candidate during this election.

Real-world violence – including lethal antisemitism – can be fueled by online hate and radicalization, as seen in recent attacks on synagogues in Pittsburgh and San Diego County and on mosques in Christchurch and Quebec City. In 2019, the House of Commons Justice Committee conducted a study of online hate and made a series of recommendations, including a robust plan to track online hate, prevent online hate through education, and make better use of legal tools to stop online hate. The Justice Committee study was an excellent first step. Now, the federal government should create a national strategy to tackle this issue using the Justice Committee’s report as a foundation, and the effort should include a significant focus on online antisemitism, referencing the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.

From 2011 to 2016, the number of Canadians who reported they are Jewish by ethnic origin dropped by more than half. This was due not to demographic change but to the removal of “Jewish” as a specific example in a census question, which, in previous census surveys, had been regularly included as an example alongside other ethnic origins. If this omission is not corrected for 2021, the work of Jewish charities will be drastically undermined. Jewish federations and federation-funded social service agencies collectively spend tens of millions of dollars annually on charitable work throughout Canada, including projects to support seniors, alleviate poverty, educate students, and integrate new Canadians. This vital work requires access to accurate census data providing a clear portrait of Jewish communities across Canada. While Statistics Canada is working to address the issue, the federal government should ensure the ethnic origin question is amended to prevent underreporting of Jewish Canadians in the next census.

Under the Elections Act, federal elections take place every four years on the third Monday in October. Unfortunately, this fixed date often overlaps with the Jewish High Holy Days, as was the case in 2008 and this year. On High Holy Days, observant Jews cannot work, drive, or write – basic activities required of candidates, volunteers, and voters. Elections Canada provides significant alternatives for voters who wish to cast their ballot early, including advance polls and special ballots, ensuring all Jewish voters can participate. However, this requires advertising and awareness campaigns – as well as logistical efforts – to engage Jewish voters. Advance voting options can also coincide with Jewish High Holy Days, and observant candidates and volunteers face even greater challenges. The next federal government can avoid this entirely by moving the fixed election date to later in the calendar to avoid all future scheduling conflicts with the Jewish High Holy Days. You can learn more about voting options for this year’s federal election at CIJA’s Election Hub. www.cija.ca/election-hub

The Disability Tax Credit (DTC) has proven to be a pillar of the financial health of Canadians with disabilities or special needs. Unfortunately, fewer than 40 per cent of adults who report qualifying disabilities currently claim the DTC. A Senate study noted that people with certain disabilities are disadvantaged by the application criteria. The federal government should reform the DTC to ensure it is more inclusive, particularly for those with non-physical and/or episodic disabilities that make gaining employment difficult or impossible.

Talking about these issues with your candidates will ensure Jewish community priorities are understood and appreciated when the next federal government is formed. So, make sure to take every opportunity to engage with local candidates this election season, and enjoy what is sure to be an exciting race!

To learn more about this issues and the many other on our community’s agenda, please refer to CIJA’s Federal Election Issus Guide which can be downloaded at www.cija.ca/election43.

Allyson Grant is the advocacy adviser to the Jewish Federation of Ottawa and director of government and university relations at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs.

The Jewish Federation of Ottawa, CIJA and CJPAC will host “The Federal Election, the Jewish Community and You,” an evening of awareness, discussion and education about the upcoming federal election, on Thursday, October 3, 7 pm, at the Soloway Jewish Community Centre. Admission is free but advance registration at https://tinyurl.com/y3jcb5sn is required.