Montreal, June 1, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) continues to call for federal politicians to apologize for advertisements they placed on a Website called TheJ.ca, which regularly hosts racist content. In a report published in late April titled "Legitimizing Hate," CJPME documented advertisements running on TheJ.ca on behalf of Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, Conservative Party deputy leader Melissa Lantsman, Foreign Affairs Parliamentary Secretary Rob Oliphant, and Leah Taylor Roy, MP Aurora—Oak Ridges—Richmond Hill.  In its report, CJPME recommended that politicians who had advertised on the Website issue formal statements distancing themselves from TheJ.ca and the racist positions advanced by its contributors. To date, none of the Federal politicians involved have done so.

Montreal, April 20, 2023 — Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) is calling for immediate action after discovering that many prominent Canadian politicians have placed advertisements on a Website called TheJ.ca, which regularly hosts racist content. In a report published today titled "Legitimizing Hate," CJPME has uncovered advertisements running on TheJ.ca on behalf of Conservative Party leader Pierre Poilievre, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, and other politicians at the federal, provincial, and municipal level, as well as a variety of businesses and non-profits.

This weekend, on April 17, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) commemorates the 40^th anniversary of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.  At the same time, CJPME acknowledges that many of the protections guaranteed by the Charter are not fully enjoyed by many Canadian citizens.  In fact, in these times of extreme political polarization, populist leaders, and popular fear-mongering, the rights of certain minorities are more tenuous than they have been in years.

Montreal, January 28^th, 2022 — On the fifth anniversary of the Quebec City Mosque Massacre, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) commemorates and remembers the tragic events at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City on January 29, 2017 which left 6 dead and 19 injured.  The victims included Azzeddine Soufiane, 57, father of three; Khaled Belkacemi, 60; Aboubaker Thabti; Mamadou Tanou, 42, father of two; Ibrahima Barry, 39, father of four; Abdelkrim Hassane, 41, father of three.  CJPME also points out that one year ago, the federal government designated that January 29 be recognized as a “National Day of Remembrance of the Québec City Mosque Attack and Action against Islamophobia.”

Montreal, November 4, 2021  — CJPME is pleased to provide its metro Montreal supporters with an overview of key issues in advance of this weekend’s Montreal municipal elections. Montreal mayoral candidates answered questions from CJPME on IHRA and free speech on Palestine, religious discrimination, anti-Arab racism, human rights, and more.

June 3, 2021 - Below is a statement from CJPME in support of Javier Davila, a Toronto anti-oppression educator who is being disciplined and investigated for sharing information on Palestine.

Download a PDF version of the statement here.

On April 21, 2021, CJPME joined Muslim, Arab, and Jewish organizations in sending a letter to the University of Toronto regarding the Cromwell Report into the mistreatment of Dr. Azarova, copied below. The letter raised concerns about the university's exposed lack of integrity, the censorship of Dr. Azarova due to her work on Israel, and the harm that this incident has caused to members of Palestinian, Arab, Muslim, and Jewish communities. The letter urges the university to take a step towards accountability by reinstating the job offer to Dr. Azarova.

Montreal, January 29, 2021  — On the fourth anniversary of the Quebec Mosque massacre, Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) warmly welcomes the recent announcement by the federal government that January 29th will now be recognized as a “National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia.” The recognition of January 29 is a significant accomplishment for CJPME and allied organizations who have been advocating for this outcome for years.

Montreal, January 27, 2021  — In conjunction with the Canadian Muslim Forum (CMF), Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) released today an open letter to Canada’s political and civic leaders, calling them to take concrete action to oppose Islamophobia in Canada.  The letter cited the fourth anniversary of the mass shooting at the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City, and reflected on how little has improved for Muslim-Canadians since the 2017 attack.  The letter identifies five areas of action for political and civic leaders in hopes of improving opportunities and protections for Muslim-Canadians. 

Open Letter on Islamophobia to Canada and Quebec’s Political and Civil Leaders, from the Canadian Muslim Forum and Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East. January 27, 2021.

In a few days, Canadians will mark the fourth anniversary of the tragic Quebec City mosque massacre.  On January 29, 2017, a young man influenced by online hatred and racism entered the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City and opened fire on Muslim-Canadian worshippers.  When he was done, six Canadians were dead, and 19 more injured.