University leaders from across Canada convened in Ottawa this week to unveil a coordinated five-point action plan aimed at combating antisemitism and improving the safety and well-being of Jewish students, faculty, and staff on post-secondary campuses. The initiative, led by Universities Canada, follows the release of the federal Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences (CASE) report, which highlighted a significant rise in antisemitic incidents within Canadian universities.
The CASE report, prepared by the Association for Canadian Studies and the Metropolis Institute, revealed that Jewish Canadians—who make up about 1% of the population—accounted for 68% of all reported religiously motivated hate crimes and nearly 19% of all hate crimes in 2024. According to the report, Jewish students on campuses face a hostile environment marked by institutional betrayal and persistent targeted hostility.
Gabriel Miller, President and CEO of Universities Canada, emphasized the sector’s responsibility in addressing these challenges. He described the newly developed five-point plan as a framework to facilitate collaboration among university leaders, share effective practices, engage community partners, and work closely with government agencies. The plan’s components include convening leadership to address shared concerns, supporting tailored institutional responses, fostering partnerships with Jewish organizations and law enforcement, and advancing policy recommendations to the federal government.
Federal Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller participated in the discussions and pledged the government’s support. He stressed the importance of ensuring that "all students deserve to feel safe and welcome on campus, regardless of their faith," and highlighted ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety measures while balancing freedoms of expression and lawful protest.
The new framework seeks to integrate universities into a broader national response to antisemitism, enhance enforcement of protections against hate and intimidation, and bolster data collection on antisemitic incidents. The plan prioritizes evidence-based education and preventive measures within campuses.
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) and Jewish Federations across Canada welcomed the action plan, describing it as a crucial step toward making campuses safer for all members of the academic community. In a joint statement, the organizations praised university leaders for their commitment to enforcing institutional policies and upholding standards of conduct to protect individuals from harassment and discrimination.
They also underscored that while universities are not responsible for resolving international conflicts, they must maintain respectful environments free from hate on their campuses. The groups further expressed readiness to support governments and institutions in translating commitments into concrete actions, especially with the forthcoming release of the second part of the CASE report expected to offer additional guidance.
The Network of Engaged Canadian Academics (NECA) also commended Universities Canada and Miller for placing antisemitism on the national agenda within higher education. NECA highlighted that despite Jewish Canadians being the most targeted group, antisemitism has often been overlooked in equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) policies. The organization welcomed the new plan’s recognition of antisemitism as an EDI issue and expressed willingness to assist institutions in implementing effective solutions.
The collective effort marks a significant development in addressing the growing concerns of antisemitism on Canadian university campuses and aims to foster safer and more inclusive academic environments nationwide.