Jewish group calls on Ottawa to launch commission on antisemitism
2026/01/27 2 Comments
Not convinced that having separate envoys for antisemitism and islamophobia improves understanding and integration. Former envoy Deborah Lyons was candid about her experience and frustrations:
Jewish advocacy group B’nai Brith is calling on Ottawa to launch a commission on antisemitism and appoint someone to the envoy role that has been left vacant since July.
The group is holding a midday press conference on Parliament Hill today, a day before the annual remembrance ceremony at the National Holocaust Monument.
It’s asking Ottawa to fill the role of special envoy for combating antisemitism that has been vacant since Deborah Lyons resigned in July, three months before her term was set to expire….
Source: Jewish group calls on Ottawa to launch commission on antisemitism
About Andrew
Multicultural Meanderings 
I respect that position. But either there is to be a single envoy to deal with both compassionately (is there someone who would qualify), two envoys, or none. I think the fact that no-one has been appointed to replace Deborah Lyons just lets us know how tough the job is. When is Amira Elghawaby’s term up again? January 2027.
Yes, that is the dilemma. I guess in the end, if that is not a viable option, or one can’t find two persons who can work together jointly, I would opt for none. The other observation I would make is that activists within a community may not be the best placed for such a role, Cotler being an exception but he had depth and broad experience.