The Government of Canada established the Advisory Council on Rights, Equality and Inclusion to promote social cohesion, “build bridges between communities,” and “combat all forms of racism and hate.” Contrary to that mandate, however, one Council Member has been expressing open contempt towards Canadians who oppose Israel’s genocide against the Palestinian people.

In September, Council Member and former Senator Marc Gold signed an open letter that provocatively said it was a “lie” to claim that Israel has committed genocide, even though a UN commission and human rights groups have concluded that it has. The signatories to the open letter advocated for treating the “genocide accusation” with “revulsion” and “contempt,” and pledged: “We will not allow this lie to stand.” 

These actions erode the credibility of the Advisory Council.

The problem is not that Gold holds a different view. What crosses the line, however, is his endorsement of a hostile and politicized statement that refers to the majority of Canadians and human rights advocates as liars and urges that they be treated with “contempt” for believing in good faith that Israel has committed genocide. This is unacceptable from someone who has been appointed to a public body to build bridges between communities.

Unfortunately, when CJPME brought this issue to Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller, his office expressed “full confidence” in Gold.

You cannot build bridges with genocide denial, which promotes bad-faith hostility and contempt. Join us in calling on Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller to censure Advisory Council member Marc Gold, and work to rebuild trust between the Council and the communities it is supposed to serve.