Whereas the Council of the City of Richmond Hill unanimously passed a motion on February 21, 2024, urging that a Second National Summit to Combat Antisemitism be Convened (Attached as Attachment 1); and
Whereas the City of Richmond Hill is a diverse and inclusive community where residents of all faiths, cultures, and backgrounds should feel safe, respected, and protected; and
Whereas there has been a documented and deeply concerning rise in antisemitic incidents, hate-motivated acts, and violence across Canada, including within York Region and surrounding municipalities; and
Whereas hate-motivated incidents directed at the Jewish community and other vulnerable communities undermine public safety, community cohesion, and the fundamental values of tolerance and inclusion; and
Whereas municipal governments rely on strong partnerships with federal, provincial, and regional law enforcement agencies to effectively prevent, investigate, and respond to hate-motivated incidents; and
Whereas the City of Richmond Hill is served by the York Regional Police, and benefits from coordination with provincial and federal partners including the Ontario Provincial Police, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canadian Security Intelligence Service; and
Whereas municipalities face increasing financial and operational pressures in responding to rising incidents of hate, including the need for enhanced policing, coordination, prevention programs, and community safety initiatives;
Now Therefore Be It Resolved That:
- The Council of the City of Richmond Hill formally requests that the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario work in partnership with York Region and the City of Richmond Hill to establish a combined Federal, Provincial, Regional, and Municipal law enforcement joint task force, composed of but not limited to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Security Intelligence Service, Ontario Provincial Police, and York Regional Police, to coordinate intelligence, prevention, and enforcement efforts to combat and prevent antisemitic hate and violence, and to protect vulnerable communities;
- That the Council of the City of Richmond Hill requests that the Federal and Provincial governments provide dedicated and sustainable funding to support these coordinated enforcement and prevention efforts, and further provide financial assistance to municipalities and regional police services, including York Regional Police, to address the increased operational demands resulting from the rise in hate-motivated incidents;
- That the Council of the City of Richmond Hill calls upon all municipalities in York Region to join the City of Richmond Hill in support of this resolution;
- And that the Council of the City of Richmond Hill direct that this resolution be forwarded to:
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- The Right Honourable Prime Minister of Canada
- The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
- The Minister of Public Safety of Canada
- The Premier of Ontario
- The Solicitor General of Ontario
- The Attorney General of Ontario
- The Regional Municipality of York
- The York Regional Police Services Board
- Local Members of Federal Parliament and local Members of Provincial Parliament
- All York Region municipalities