Law firms across Canada send letter to universities urging them to do more to protect students amid Israel-Hamas war

More than 80 law firms across Canada have signed a letter sent to the deans of all Canadian law schools to express their concerns over reports of unacceptable conduct on university campuses amid the Israel-Hamas war.

“Every person is entitled to be treated with respect and be free of any discrimination or conduct that targets their identity or that may be offensive, hostile, intimidating or inconsistent with their personal dignity and rights,” the letter reads.

The firms are calling on the universities to provide protection to students as well as a zero tolerance approach to any form of racism, discrimination of harassment.

“We have been alarmed by the surging reports of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assaults on university campuses,” the letter states.

“We understand that as educators of higher learning, you must encourage discourse on various issues. This comes with the responsibility of managing a balance of the free exchange of ideas with the respect, safety and security of its students. As the leaders of these institutions this responsibility falls squarely on your shoulders,” the firms state in their letter.

The law firms are also inviting the deans to meet “in order to arrange a respectful dialogue so that we can understand how you are addressing with urgency this serious situation.”

Here in Montreal, there were three reported incidents related to the war on Concordia University’s campus which led to one arrest and three injuries. A request to launch a class-action lawsuit against the university has also been filed by Jewish students and staff alleging the university failed to address antisemitism on campus.

At McGill University the student society voted on a pro-Palestinian policy, which has been blocked by Quebec Superior Court until the case returns to court in March. An unnamed Jewish student from McGill went to court to challenge the policy.

Data collected by the Montreal police force (SPVM) shows 120 hate crimes or incidents against the Jewish community reported to the SPVM between Oct. 7 and Dec. 5, 2023.

The data shows 38 hate crimes or incidents against the Arabic-Muslim community reported during the same time period.

It does not specify how many occurred on campuses.