Dr. Bahira Abdulsalam, a candidate for mayor of Toronto, is currently facing disciplinary action before the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO) Discipline Committee over her social media posts related to the Israel-Hamas conflict and broader social issues.
The proceedings follow a formal complaint filed by the Canadian Antisemitism Education Foundation (CAEF), which alleges that Abdulsalam’s online statements endorse the October 7 Hamas attack and contain antisemitic content. CAEF board member Michael Teper also submitted a complaint to the Toronto District School Board concerning Abdulsalam’s conduct while serving on the Parent Involvement Advisory Committee. Teper highlighted posts from November 2023 accusing Israelis of stealing organs and bodies from Palestinians. In one such post, Abdulsalam wrote, “Criminals – they not only killed them, [they’re] also stealing their organs and dead bodies! Shame on you!”
Additional posts cited in the complaints describe Hamas as “the Palestinian resistance and the only military force in the world that is standing up courageously against Israel,” and argue that Hamas is the elected government of the Gaza Strip rather than merely a resistance movement. Abdulsalam also suggested that Israeli intelligence attempts to depict Hamas as terrorists, accusing Israel of targeting Palestinian children to suppress future resistance.
Other social media content from Abdulsalam includes statements alleging that “Zionists have a feeling of superiority” and denying reported incidents of Hamas committing atrocities, including the beheading of children. She further posted that “Zionism is way more cruel than the Nazis” and compared Israeli policies to the Holocaust, claiming that “Hitler and Netanyahu are two faces of the same coin.”
Responding to the disciplinary process in a July 14 public statement, Abdulsalam asserted that the regulator’s authority should not extend to her off-duty political expression. She maintained that her speech relates to political and social issues, including matters of war, conscience, and parenting, and challenged the PEO’s jurisdiction on constitutional grounds. Abdulsalam has filed a notice of constitutional question with the attorneys-general of Canada and Ontario, invoking sections 2(a) and 2(b) of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which protect freedom of conscience, religion, and expression.
Abdulsalam is a professional engineer and community advocate, having previously campaigned for Toronto mayor in the June 2023 by-election, where she placed 14th out of 102 candidates. Her campaign platform emphasizes progressive local policies alongside strong pro-Palestinian advocacy. She has called for a two-way arms embargo on Israel, urged Canada to cease involvement in Israeli settlements, sought recognition of Palestine as a state, and advocated for funding humanitarian relief in Gaza, including support through the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
The PEO disciplinary hearings are ongoing as Abdulsalam continues her 2026 mayoral campaign. She announced that hearings are scheduled for August 10 and August 13.
Simon Wolle, CEO of B’nai Brith Canada, criticized Abdulsalam’s statements, describing them as expressing support for Hamas, a terrorist organization designated by Canada. He said her posts repeat antisemitic conspiracy theories and undermine Canada’s multicultural values and democratic principles. Wolle added that such rhetoric exacerbates hate and raises concerns about Abdulsalam’s suitability for public office and leadership as Toronto’s mayor.