More than two dozen Jewish members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have been informed that they do not meet the racial identity criteria required to qualify for a $150-million racial discrimination settlement, according to reports from those involved. The settlement stems from a class-action lawsuit addressing racial discrimination within the military.
One claimant, Capt. Rabbi Jonathan Jaffit, has initiated legal proceedings, alleging that Deloitte—the accounting firm tasked with processing the claims—is not applying the terms of the final settlement agreement properly. Court documents indicate Jaffit argues that legitimate claimants who meet the class definition are being unjustly denied access to settlement funds.
Several Jewish CAF members who filed claims said they experienced harassment and discrimination during their military service on account of their identity. One service member, who served for eight years, cited 14 instances of antisemitism in their claim submission. Others expressed frustration and disappointment at the rejection of their claims, describing the situation as “the height of irony” and a source of deep pain.
Some Jewish members noted that antisemitism within the military environment has intensified recently. One of them linked increased tensions to events following October 7, when Hamas carried out attacks that resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people in Israel, sparking an ongoing conflict in the Middle East. This individual described a CAF Zoom meeting intended to foster discussions about race, which they said quickly devolved into what they perceived as "Israel-bashing" and the spread of false narratives regarding Israel and Zionism. This claimant’s submission was ultimately deemed “ineligible” by Deloitte.
In response to inquiries, Deloitte stated that while individuals might have experienced discrimination based on various personal characteristics such as gender, sexuality, disability, religion, culture, or language, claims that do not involve racial discrimination or racial harassment fall outside the class action’s scope.
The settlement originates from a 2016 lawsuit brought by three army veterans who identified as Indigenous and Black, including one person of Haitian descent. They alleged systemic discrimination based on race within the CAF. The class action was certified in 2024, allowing current and former members who experienced racial discrimination or racial harassment during military service from April 17, 1985, onward to file claims.
The claims period for the settlement closed on October 15. Eligible claimants may receive payments ranging from $5,000 to $30,000, determined by the length and severity of discrimination or harassment experienced, according to the settlement notice.