Whereas, the City of Richmond Hill is rooted in the values of democracy, equity and inclusivity; and
Whereas, on September 24 2018, the Richmond Hill Council endorsed the York Region Inclusion Charter; and
Whereas, we have a shared responsibility to stop antisemitism in all its forms through education and public consciousness as antisemitic demonstrations continue to threaten communities and undermine democracy; and
Whereas, the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) is an intergovernmental organization founded in 1998 that consists of 34 countries, including Canada, each of whom recognizes that international coordination is needed to combat antisemitism; and
Whereas, six per cent of York Region residents identify themselves as Jewish, which is a higher representation than Canada and Ontario, and Vaughan is home to one of the largest Jewish populations outside of Israel, which includes many Holocaust survivors; and
Whereas, on February 27, 2020, Bill 168, the Combating Antisemitism Act which directly mentions IHRA, unanimously passed a second reading in the Ontario legislature with all-party support; and
Whereas, on April 30, 2020, Regional Council adopted adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as adopted at the IHRA plenary on May 26, 2016; and
Whereas, City of Richmond Hill is enriched by its thriving, active and engaged Jewish and Israeli communities.
Therefore be it resolved:
That the City of Richmond Hill adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism as adopted at the IHRA plenary on May 26, 2016 as follows:
"Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities"; and
That this decision be forwarded to the Chair of the province of Ontario's Standing Committee on Justice Policy.