📄 Download the Full Q1 2026 Report (PDF)

From Momentum to Mobilization — Building on 2025’s Breakthrough:

After a transformative year in 2025, CJPME strengthened its role in shaping public discourse, expanding grassroots power, and placing Palestinian human rights at the centre of Canadian political debate. The foundations laid in 2025, including media work, research, coalition-building, and the Lobby Corps, made it possible to mobilize quickly and engage political decision-makers more effectively, particularly around Bill C-233, the No More Loopholes Act, to stop arming Israel indirectly via the United States.

In early 2026, these efforts converged in a sustained push to influence Parliament directly. CJPME mobilized supporters across the country, brought advocacy onto Parliament Hill, and pressed elected officials to take public positions on Canada’s complicity in Israel’s military actions. Although Bill C-233 was ultimately defeated, the campaign revealed growing fractures within Parliament, shifted multiple votes, and demonstrated the increasing impact of coordinated grassroots pressure. This quarter confirmed that CJPME is not only shaping public debate but increasingly shaping the political terrain in which decisions are made.

Legislative Battles and Advocacy Impact:

A defining focus of this quarter was the national fight to pass the No More Loopholes Act (Bill C-233), a critical effort to close the U.S. arms export loophole enabling Canadian complicity in Israel’s military actions.

As a key partner in the Arms Embargo Now coalition, CJPME mobilized supporters across the country through a coordinated strategy of public education, media engagement, lobbying, and direct political pressure. Highlights included:

• A National Day of Action with coast-to-coast mobilization
• A Lobby Day on Parliament Hill with 30 community leaders engaging MPs directly
• A Parliamentary press conference alongside key partners to push for the bill’s passage

Although Bill C-233 was ultimately voted down on March 13, the impact was undeniable:

• 22 MPs voted in favor, including 15 Liberal MPs breaking ranks
• 15 additional Liberal MPs abstained, signaling growing fractures within the government
• Grassroots advocacy successfully flipped votes and forced national debate

This campaign marked a turning point demonstrating that sustained public pressure can shift political alignments and make complicity politically costly.

Progress Across Our Core Work:

Media Accountability Project (MAP)

This quarter, CJPME’s Media Accountability Project made concrete gains in pushing back against biased reporting and ensuring Palestinian narratives and related national coverage were accurately represented. From major editorial corrections to sustained media monitoring and public pressure, our interventions continued to shape how Palestine and Canadian foreign policy are reported in national media.

Major Media Wins:

• CBC Ombuds Review: The CBC Ombud published a landmark review of CJPME’s complaints about the outlet’s claim that Israel’s occupation of Gaza “ended” in 2005. Siding with CJPME, the Ombuds wrote, “CBC effectively resolved a major international legal dispute in favour of [Israel’s] narrative,” and failed to meet the CBC standard of accuracy. This precedent setting review gives us great leverage for further advocacy that challenges biased media which attempts to omit or falsely represent Israel’s status and responsibilities as an occupying power.
• CBC News Correction: Following CJPME advocacy, CBC revised a major investigative article on the bombing of an Iranian school by the United States to include expert analysis confirming the strike was deliberate and to correct misleading framing that had minimized responsibility. The update strengthened accountability in reporting on civilian harm and international law.
• National Post JDL coverage update: Following a CJPME media alert, the Post added reference to a prior assault arrest involving a member of JDL Canada (the far right and violent Jewish Defence League) and clarified that earlier claims of non-violence were based on an interview with a JDL co-founder. While changes were limited, the update introduced important factual context into an otherwise overly favourable portrayal of far-right pro-Israel extremist.
• The Hill Times publication (arms exports critique): A letter from a CJPME media advocate was published and contributed to public debate on Canada’s arms export regime, highlighting tensions between Carney’s human rights rhetoric and the documented use of Canadian-linked military exports in conflicts abroad, including Gaza.
• Toronto Star / Associated Press Lebanon story revision: After CJPME intervention, the article was substantially improved with added historical and legal context, including Israel’s 2024 invasion of Lebanon, continued occupation, and ceasefire violations, resulting in more balanced conflict reporting.
• CBC headline and summary correction: CBC revised its headline and story framing to ensure consistent terminology for “Israeli Palestinian protests,” improving clarity and addressing concerns about uneven naming practices.
• CBC Bill C-9 article update: CBC expanded its reporting on Bill C-9 to include previously missing civil liberties concerns from the CCLA and UN Human Rights Committee warnings, ensuring readers received a more complete picture of potential impacts on free expression and protest rights.
• Canadian Press terminology shift: Following CJPME’s concern about politically loaded labeling of French MEP Rima Hassan who was denied entry to Canada for Palestine speaking events, subsequent Canadian Press reporting shifted from “far left” to more neutral terminology (“left-wing”), contributing to more balanced political characterization in media coverage.

Campaigns & Actions

This quarter, CJPME’s campaigns translated growing public concern into coordinated national action, mobilizing thousands of Canadians to engage directly with Parliament and decision-makers on urgent issues of arms exports, civil liberties, and Canadian foreign policy.

• Canada’s response to illegal US-Israel attacks on Iran: CJPME mobilized supporters to pressure Prime Minister Carney and Foreign Minister Anand to retract support for illegal US-Israeli military actions against Iran and to instead advocate for de-escalation and the imposition of sanctions on Israel in line with international law. Almost 13,000 Canadians participated in our email action.
• No More Loopholes Act Campaign: CJPME mobilized thousands of Canadians through nationwide email actions targeting MPs and cabinet ministers. This was reinforced by investigative reporting confirming Canada’s ongoing arms transfers, alongside real-time advocacy tools that enabled supporters to respond quickly to political developments.
• E1 Settlement Expansion Campaign: CJPME launched an urgent action calling on the Government of Canada to respond to Israel’s E1 settlement project in the occupied West Bank, which would permanently fragment Palestinian territory and entrench illegal settlement expansion. Supporters were urged to demand that the Prime Minister publicly warn that any individuals or entities involved in E1 expansion will face Canadian economic sanctions.
• Defending Civil Liberties (Bill C-9): CJPME led sustained opposition to dangerous legislation that threatens protest rights and freedom of expression, continuing advocacy as the bill moved through Parliament.
• Campaign Against Israeli Military AI Technologies: CJPME organized an email action targeting Minister Solomon and Prime Minister Carney, urging Canada to reject the use and normalization of Israeli military AI systems alleged to be implicated in violations of international law and calling for sanctions on Israeli tech companies complicit in abuses.

Advocacy & Public Engagement

CJPME significantly expanded its public education and political engagement work through a series of high-impact national initiatives that reached broad audiences and strengthened political pressure on decision-makers.

• Mini-Documentary Release: “How Canada Arms Israel’s Genocide | Bill C-233 Explained” simplified complex policy issues and reached wide audiences across Canada and internationally.
• NDP Leadership Debate on Palestine: National virtual debate with party leadership candidates, drawing over 10,000 viewers and elevating Palestinian rights as a central political issue in the leadership race.
• Post-Debate Roundtable: In-depth political analysis featuring CJPME leadership assessing candidate positions and implications for the NDP.
• NDP Candidate Guide: Published assessment of candidates’ positions on Palestinian human rights to inform voters and strengthen accountability during the leadership race.
• Lobby Day on Parliament Hill: Direct advocacy with MPs, including meetings and a parliamentary press conference, translating grassroots energy into political pressure.

Press Releases Highlights

CJPME issued a series of high-impact press releases addressing urgent political developments and holding Canadian leaders accountable. Among these were:

• “Board of Peace”: Condemned Canada’s potential participation in a U.S.-led governance plan for Gaza as a colonial violation of Palestinian self-determination.
• Netanyahu Airspace: Called on Canada to deny airspace access to Israel’s Prime Minister in compliance with ICC arrest warrants.
• Ben Mulroney Boycott: Announced a coalition boycott over media bias and conflicts of interest on national broadcast platforms.
• “Greater Israel” Warning: Urged Canada to reject expansionist rhetoric and impose sanctions.
• Iran Attacks: Condemned Canada’s support for U.S.-Israeli military aggression and called for de-escalation.
• Al-Quds Day: Defended civil liberties after an attempted injunction against a pro-Palestine demonstration was overturned in court.
• Lebanon Escalation: Called for sanctions and a full arms embargo amid rising regional violence.
• Death Penalty Law: Urged Canada to condemn discriminatory Israeli legislation targeting Palestinians.

CJPME in the Media

CJPME’s expertise and leadership were featured widely in Canadian media this quarter. Our interventions not only shaped how outlets reported on Palestine but also reinforced CJPME as a trusted voice for analysis and accountability.

• CJPME’s work on the No More Loopholes Act (Bill C-233) and Canada’s ongoing arms transfers to Israel was widely covered by the Canadian Press, with reporting syndicated across national newspapers, radio, and television outlets.
• CJPME’s analysis and statements on Canada’s support for U.S.-Israeli military actions in Iran were featured in multiple media interviews and articles, reinforcing public scrutiny of Canada’s foreign policy positioning.
• CJPME’s advocacy on issues including Bill C-9, civil liberties, and Israeli foreign influence campaigns was cited across outlets such as Canadian Affairs, Press Progress, The Breach, Middle East Eye, and The Hill Times, strengthening CJPME’s role as a trusted source on Palestinian rights and Canadian accountability.

Q1 Financial Summary: Departmental Expense Allocation

This section outlines the organization’s total expenditures for the first quarter, broken down across the four main departments. The accompanying bar graph provides a clear visual representation of how funds were distributed, offering an at-a-glance overview of departmental spending for the period.

How You Can Take Action:

Your support ensures CJPME continues to transform advocacy into measurable outcomes:

• Donate: Fund campaigns, research, and Lobby Corps initiatives
• Engage: Write to MPs, submit letters to editors, or participate in webinars and advocacy actions
• Share: Amplify reports, social media campaigns, and press briefings

Ways to Give:

Your support powers CJPME’s work to hold Canada accountable, amplify Palestinian voices, and turn public outrage into real political change.

• One-Time Donation: We highly rely on individual donors. Donate here.
• Monthly Donation: Your monthly gift ensures our work is continuous, effective, and ready to respond when it matters most. Sign up here.
• Direct Bank Deposit: Contact our Senior Director of Development at [email protected] for details.

Contact Information & Social Media Handles:

• Get in Touch:
  Email: General inquiries: [email protected]| Donations: [email protected]
  Phone: (438) 380-5410
  Website: www.cjpme.org
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📄 Download the Full Q1 2026 Report (PDF)