The article reports on a critique by Avi Benlolo of the lack of action taken against antisemitism in Canadian universities despite numerous studies and reports. According to Benloto's experience with Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU), students reported rising antisemitism as early as 2016, but little has been done to address it. A recent government report found that over 95% of Jewish students experienced some form of antisemitism at university, and a report by retired judge Mary Lou Benotto recommended eight easily achievable steps for TMU to take, which the university has instead opted to study further.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
Jewish students and faculty at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) have reported experiencing hostility towards Jewish identity and Zionism, including intimidation and dehumanization, since the October 7, 2023, events in Israel. A review led by retired judge Mary Lou Benotto found that this has had a significant impact on campus life, with symptoms of a deteriorating climate likely to recur unless decisive action is taken. This is not a new issue - in 2016, Jewish students reported rising antisemitism to the university's president, Mohamed Lachemi, who appeared receptive at the time. However, despite growing concerns and a recent announcement by Prime Minister Mark Carney of a ministerial advisory council to reassess and measure antisemitism, the Canadian approach seems to be to conduct more studies rather than take concrete action.
Written for “Canadian Antisemitism Response” on 2026-08-31,
grounded in this article and the 0 other(s) covering the same event.
Its primary author, retired judge Mary Lou Benotto, is no wallflower, and she did not mince words in her assessment: “The review finds that the events of Oct. 7, 2023, in Israel fundamentally altered the experience of campus life for many members of the university community.
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events → mince → community
Jewish students, faculty and staff described hostility toward Jewish identity and Zionism that crossed into intimidation, dehumanization and antisemitism.”
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that → describe → intimidation
The review found “symptoms of a deteriorating campus climate that, absent decisive institutional action, are likely to recur.”
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that → find → action
In 2016, I met with TMU’s president, Mohamed Lachemi, to warn him about reports I was receiving from Jewish students over rising antisemitism.
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I → meet → antisemitism
At the time, Lachemi seemed receptive to fixing the growing problem of antisemitism on his campus.
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Lachemi → seem → campus
But the Canadian method is to “kick the can down the road” with yet another study rather than implement necessary measures to fix the antisemitism problem.
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method → kick → problem
During his now infamous antisemitism speech in June at Holy Blossom Temple in Toronto, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new ministerial advisory council that would “reassess” and “measure” antisemitism from “four different directions.”
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that → announce → directions
The council has done zilch to date.
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council → do → date
At this point, Canadians have seen a plethora of studies on the subject, but very little action.
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Canadians → see → subject
Last year, the government released the “Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.”
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government → release → Antisemitism
It noted that, “Over 150 individuals were consulted, including Jewish community leaders, the Canadian delegation to the IHRA, rabbis, academics and teachers, lawyers, civil servants and political staff, and law enforcement personnel.
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individuals → note → IHRA
In April 2026, the standing Senate committee on human rights released its own report titled “Standing United Against Antisemitism,” which provided 22 recommendations.
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which → stand → recommendations
Like numerous other reports now collecting dust, it stated the obvious: a surge in hate crimes, an erosion of safety and an increase in Holocaust denial, among other critical issues.
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it → collect → issues
When will these reports end and action commence?
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action → end → ?
Just last week, another government report found that 95.7 per cent of 900 Jewish students interviewed experienced some form of antisemitism over the past year, while 84 per cent considered antisemitism a serious problem at universities.
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antisemitism → find → universities
Taking this to account, my column last week focused on how students and their parents should adapt to campus life this fall.
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students → take → life
In her report, Benotto recommended eight easily achievable recommendations that TMU can immediately implement.
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TMU → recommend → that
She also called for new mechanisms around protests and, most significantly, the enforcement of TMU’s student code of conduct.
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She → call → conduct
Instead of quickly moving to adopt these recommendations, the university called for another study to study the findings.
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university → move → findings
In a statement, Lachemi announced a new “task force” and appointed Bob Rae to “carefully consider and respond to every recommendation” by March 2027.
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Lachemi → announce → March
So the university first hired a former judge to provide a report on antisemitism.
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university → hire → antisemitism
Then it hired a former ambassador to take seven months to provide an “implementation blueprint.”
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it → hire → blueprint
Will it then follow the Carney playbook and appoint an advisory council to figure out how to implement the task force’s recommendations on the first recommendations?
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it → follow → recommendations
National Post
Avi Benlolo is the chairman and CEO of the Abraham Global Peace Initiative, a Canadian think-tank promoting freedom and democracy.
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Benlolo → promote → freedom
