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News Release - Manitoba

October 27, 2022

Manitoba Government Adopts International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's Definition of Antisemitism



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The Manitoba government has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, Premier Heather Stefanson and Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Andrew Smith announced today.

“Our government is proud to stand united with the Jewish community here in Manitoba and around the world,” said Stefanson. “Antisemitism has no place in our communities and today is an important step forward in our collective commitment to ensure we build an inclusive and safe society, and a future full of hope and opportunity for our future generations.”

The premier noted the definition was developed by the IHRA’s Committee on Antisemitism and Holocaust Denial, and is grounded in the research of the world’s foremost experts on antisemitism and the Holocaust. The definition has been adopted by the United Nations, the European Union and 30 countries including the United States and Canada.

“As antisemitic incidents in Canada continue to rise, the need to counter them is urgent,” said Smith. “By adopting this definition of antisemitism, we are empowering our policymakers, law enforcement agencies and community leaders with a critical framework they can use to identify, understand and combat contemporary forms of antisemitism in public life, the media, schools, workplaces and religious spheres.”

Manitoba is the sixth Canadian province to adopt the IHRA definition, noted Smith.

“Today, Premier Stefanson and the Manitoba government sent a strong message that antisemitism has no place in society,” said Gustavo Zentner, president, Jewish Federation of Winnipeg. “To combat antisemitism effectively, it must first be defined. The IHRA definition will help Manitobans identify and combat antisemitism in all its forms. With antisemitic hate crimes on the rise across the country, fighting antisemitism is a priority, not just for the Jewish community, but for all Manitobans and for all Canadians.”

The IHRA definition is the consensus definition of antisemitism that best reflects lived experience of Jews today, the premier noted, adding with this framework in place, the Manitoba government will continue to work collaboratively with community representatives to address deplorable acts of hate and discrimination.

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