Marty York: Motion will urge creation of antisemitism task force at TMU law school

Toronto Metropolitan University, formerly Ryerson University. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk/Toronto Sun/Postmedia/File

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Last month, the Law Society of Ontario (LSO) did not agree to a formal request from 10 lawyers who wished to add to their Annual General Meeting (AGM) agenda a motion that could have revoked accreditation from Toronto Metropolitan University’s (TMU) Lincoln Alexander School of Law. It would have prevented its graduates from practicing if the university failed to address the fact that it had become a cesspit of antisemitism.

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The motion had been refused because the deadline for submitting topics for the LSO’s AGM had already passed by the time the lawyers had put forward their request.

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A new motion will be put forward at the LSO’s meeting of convocation on Thursday, urging the establishment of a task force “to explore all options available to the LSO to address the identified concerns of intimidation, dehumanization and antisemitism at TMU to ensure fairness and equality for law students at institutions accredited by the LSO.”

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The motion also asks the task force “explore all options available to the LSO to address the failure of TMU to adhere to these obligations” and to report its recommendations to convocation no later than Feb. 25, 2027.

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My response to this idea: Hear, hear!

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I should mention here that the faculty of law at TMU was accredited by the LSO. The LSO permits law students at TMU’s Lincoln Alexander School of Law the integrated practice curricula to replace articling. TMU also administers TMU’s Law Practice Program.

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“There were recent concerns within the legal profession regarding the Toronto Metropolitan University External Review 2025-26 by the Honourable Mary Lou Benotto,” the motion notes. “Justice Benotto’s findings found that TMU has too often failed to apply policies capable of addressing discriminatory and intimidating conduct consistently and decisively. As a result, many Jewish participants described what they viewed as a redefinition of Zionism on campus as contributing to the growth or normalization of antisemitism. Those students were found to face intimidation, dehumanization and antisemitism.”

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Benotto, a former Ontario Appeal Court Justice, described TMU as a cesspit of antisemitism, where Jewish students have been spat on, pelted with sour milk, intimidated, threatened and harassed. She concluded that Jewish students at TMU live in fear.

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The motion goes on to say that the LSO “has a duty to uphold the public interest. In the context of law school accreditation, this includes upholding a positive public perception of the legal profession. Pursuant to this duty, the LSO is entitled to ensure equal access to the legal profession, diversity within the bar and prevent harm to law students.”

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Sam Goldstein, a prominent criminal lawyer in Toronto, is among those who will be voting Thursday in favour of passing the motion. He is one of a number of Ontario lawyers who is concerned that TMU has appointed a task force to essentially review Benotto’s findings and make its own recommendations. This task force includes Bob Rae, a former Ontario premier, interim leader of the Liberal Party of Canada and Canadian ambassador to the United Nations.

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“Frankly,” Goldstein told me, “I seriously doubt we can trust Rae after he has voiced anti-Israel policies that reflect what (Prime Minister Mark) Carney and (former Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau have said en route to what many Canadian Jews view as the normalization of apathy, at least, when it comes to antisemitism in Canada. The Jewish community has little confidence in Bob Rae after his public support of recognizing Palestine as a state.”

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Goldstein’s conclusion: “The LSO must pass this new motion. We need change at every level of society, including at the LSO.”

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Antisemitism has been rampant and appalling on the TMU campus. It will be interesting to see which way the vote goes.

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National Post

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