Ottawa scraps envoy positions for new advisory council on rights, equity and inclusion

(Ottawa) – B’nai Brith Canada and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs are advising the federal government not to compromise its own efforts in the fight against antisemitism.

The warning comes as media reports indicate that Ottawa will eliminate the position of Special Envoy for Holocaust Remembrance and the Fight Against Antisemitism, which has been vacant since last July. According to a  press release  issued Wednesday, the government will instead create a new Advisory Council on Rights, Equity and Inclusion (ACRI) within the Department of Canadian Heritage.

“The new Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion will help build a more inclusive and united Canada; one grounded in our shared values, with a strong focus on community involvement, and rooted in the belief that far more unites us than divides us,” stated Minister of Culture Marc Miller. “By deepening mutual trust, unity, respect and solidarity, we can ensure that every person feels included and valued, and that rights and equality are protected for all Canadians.”

The Office of the Special Representative on Combatting Islamophobia will also be scrapped.

“It’s about folding in those two positions into a new committee on national unity and advisory committee on rights, equity and inclusion,”  Miller told journalists.

The names of the members of the Advisory Council will be revealed at a later date.

“We hope this initiative will serve the interests of Canadians and help develop real strategies to combat the spread of hate in our society,” said Richard Robertson, Director of Research and Advocacy at B’nai Brith Canada. “Unfortunately, the government failed to fully utilize its Special Envoy, leaving the position vacant in the midst of an antisemitism crisis…The new advisory council must prioritize the fight against antisemitism. The numbers don’t lie. It is urgent to act to address this problem without delay.”

In announcing this project, the government stated that the Advisory Council would draw on the expertise of leading academics and community leaders. Its mandate will focus on antisemitism, among other forms of hate and racism, within the context of Canada-wide efforts to enhance social cohesion and protect rights and social inclusion.

“The new Advisory Council must not dilute Canada’s efforts in the fight against antisemitism,” said Simon Wolle, President and CEO of B’nai Brith Canada. “Antisemitism has reached unprecedented levels in Canada and requires increased attention. The government must ensure that it appoints only credible and competent experts who understand the specific nature of antisemitism and grasp the issue we are facing.”

B’nai Brith Canada also urges the Advisory Council to adopt  the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism , which was adopted by Canada in 2019.

“The creation of this new council does not change the need for Canada to establish a Royal Commission of Inquiry on Antisemitism,” said Mr. Wolle. “According to official statistics, Jewish Canadians are targeted more often than other minorities. This problem has worsened since October 7, 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel, massacred civilians, and took dozens of hostages.”

The National Council of Canadian Muslims (NCCM) also had early concerns about the announcement. “Our immediate reaction was really the same as the reactions of so many people, so many messages that we got from our community, and that is (a) general sense of disappointment that we won’t have a dedicated office or a point person that takes up a special interest and advisory role when it comes to tackling violent, systemic Islamophobia,” said NCCM spokesperson Steven Zhou to CTV News.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) also expressed concern. CIJA CEO Noah Shack stated, “We want to acknowledge the important work led by the Office of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism under both Deborah Lyons and Irwin Cotler.

“With antisemitism and extremism continuing to surge across the country, the status quo was untenable. Impact requires leadership from the federal government in coordination with all other levels of government. We expect immediate concrete action on solutions that the Jewish community has long advocated for, including support for security and addressing the sources of hate. This is essential to safeguard the future of our community and all Canadians.

“It is crucial that the government’s new approach and the composition of the advisory council are designed to achieve meaningful outcomes in combatting the unprecedented wave of antisemitism and extremism in Canada.”

The Abraham Global Peace Initiative (AGPI) also expressed serious concern. AGPI stated, “While AGPI has long acknowledged that the previous structure was ineffective and in need of reform, the outright deletion of the office raises fundamental questions about how Canada intends to meet its international obligations to preserve Holocaust memory and combat antisemitism.

“The role of the Special Envoy was not symbolic. It was established to carry out Canada’s commitment to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) – including advancing and operationalizing the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism across government, public institutions, and civil society.

“With the office now abolished, it is unclear who will be responsible for implementing this mandate, ensuring accountability, or coordinating national policy at a time of unprecedented antisemitism.

“The absence of a dedicated body also brings into question how the memory of the Holocaust will be preserved in Canada. Holocaust remembrance is not merely an educational exercise; it is a moral obligation and a cornerstone of preventing the repetition of history. Without a clear authority, leadership risks being fragmented, inconsistent, or sidelined altogether.

“AGPI believes antisemitism cannot be addressed effectively when it is absorbed into broad advisory frameworks. It is a distinct, historically rooted, and globally coordinated hatred that requires focused expertise, measurable outcomes, and institutional authority.

AGPI recommended that the former envoy structure be replaced with a Commission on Antisemitism – one that is independent, empowered, and explicitly mandated to uphold IHRA principles, preserve Holocaust remembrance, and confront antisemitism in all its contemporary forms.