17.73°C Vancouver

Jul 5, 2024 7:17 PM - The Canadian Press

Montreal Liberal MP Anthony Housefather named to new antisemitism adviser role

Share On
montreal-liberal-mp-anthony-housefather-named-to-new-antisemitism-adviser-role
Housefather welcomed his appointment which will include working with Deborah Lyons, the federal government's special envoy on combating antisemitism.(Photo: The Canadian Press)

Liberal MP Anthony Housefather says he is "looking forward to making a real difference" as the government's new special adviser on Jewish community relations and antisemitism.

The Prime Minister's Office announced his appointment to the role today, saying Housefather will advise the prime minister and cabinet and work with the Jewish community.

Housefather, who is Jewish, has been outspoken about the rise in antisemitism in Canada since the current conflict between Israel and Hamas began in October.

The appointment comes four months Housefather considered leaving the Liberal caucus after an NDP motion on the Israel-Gaza war left him feeling intense anger and isolated within his party.

Following that period of reflection he said he would stay as a Liberal and that Trudeau had asked him to work with the government to address the "massive" issue of antisemitism in Canada right now.

Housefather would go on to help start a parliamentary committee study into antisemitism on university campuses in May.

Housefather himself has been the target of antisemitic hatred including earlier this week when posters were taped to signposts in Montreal calling him a Nazi, equating Zionism to terrorism and telling him to "get out of Canada."

Housefather welcomed his appointment which will include working with Deborah Lyons, the federal government's special envoy on combating antisemitism.

"Jewish Canadians need to feel safe in our communities, on campus and in Canadian life," he said in a statement.

The original NDP motion included a demand that Canada officially recognize the state of Palestine.

Housefather called that wording one-sided, and the motion caused significant division among members of Parliament including within the Liberal caucus.

The motion that eventually passed was revised to be very close to existing Canadian foreign policy, including a recognition that Palestinian statehood would be part of a two-state solution within the Middle East peace process.

Wording was added to call for Hamas to lay down its weapons and clearly identify the militant group as a recognized terrorist organization. The motion also included a call for Canada to stop approving transfers of arms exports to Israel.

At the time, Housefather acknowledged the last-minute changes improved the motion but said he could not support it in part because the changes came so late in the process they were not fully debated.

Latest news

ihit-investigating-murder-suicide-in-abbotsford
CanadaJul 02, 2025

IHIT investigating murder-suicide in Abbotsford

The Integrated Homicide Investigation Team (IHIT) continues an investigation in Abbotsford where two people were found deceased inside a residence. Background: On the evening of June 30, 2025, at approximately 7:46 p.m., Abbotsford Police patrol officers responded to a dispute at a residence in the 36000 block of McKee Road. Upon arrival, officers entered the residence and discovered two deceased adults. IHIT was called to investigate and continues to work in close partnership with the AbbyPD Major Crime Unit, AbbyPD Forensic Identification Service (FIS) and BC Coroners Service to advance th
former-united-conservative-mlas-resuscitating-albertas-once-dominant-pc-party
AlbertaJul 02, 2025

Former United Conservative MLAs resuscitating Alberta's once-dominant PC Party

Two former members of Alberta's governing United Conservative Party are resuscitating the province's once-dominant Progressive Conservative Party. Former infrastructure minister Peter Guthrie and legislature member Scott Sinclair were booted from caucus earlier this year for pushing back against the Premier Danielle Smith's government and now sit as Independents. Sinclair says the province's two-party system has become too divisive, and they want to galvanize support from Albertans who feel they don't have a political home. Former NDP premier Rachel Notley ended the PC's 44-year
israel-is-ready-to-make-a-ceasefire-in-gaza-for-60-days-trump
WorldJul 02, 2025

Israel is ready to make a ceasefire in Gaza for 60 days: Trump

There may be a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. According to President Donald Trump, Israel is ready to make a ceasefire in Gaza for 60 days. He said that during this time, all parties will try to end the war together. Trump warned Hamas that if it does not accept the agreement, the situation will worsen. Trump said that Qatar and Egypt will send the final proposal of this agreement to Hamas. These two countries have been trying to bring peace for a long time. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will also visit Washington next Monday, where he will meet Trump at the White House.
more-flexibility-for-development-charges-will-unlock-more-homes-for-people
BCJul 02, 2025

More flexibility for development charges will unlock more homes for people

More affordable homes will be on the way quicker as the Province takes steps to speed up construction timelines and reduce up-front costs for homebuilders. “We are committed to finding innovative and cost-effective solutions to build housing, so everyone has a fair chance to live in communities where they work and belong,” said Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs. “These changes are about supporting housing development and easing the financial burden on builders and developers so they can get shovels in the ground faster to help unlock more homes for people in B.C.”
WorldJul 02, 2025

Sean 'Diddy' Combs acquitted of most serious charges, convicted of prostitution-related offenses

Sean ``Diddy Combs has been convicted of prostitution-related offenses but acquitted on the most serious charges at his New York trial on Wednesday. The mixed result could still put Combs behind bars for up to a decade. Combs was convicted of transporting people across state lines for the purpose of engaging in prostitution. But the jury acquitted him of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, which were related to allegations that he forced girlfriends into hundreds of drug-fueled sex marathons with other men. His lawyers said the women were willing participants.

Related News