British Columbia adopts International Definition of Antisemitism

The Canadian province of British Columbia has adopted the International Definition of Antisemitism.

British Columbia’s Premier, John Horgan, announced the decision in a letter to the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), Vancouver.

There has been a Jewish community in British Columbia, mostly located in Vancouver, since the mid-19th century. The most recent data shows that there were over 30,000 Jews living in British Columbia. 

In his letter, Mr Horgan wrote: “To effectively combat one of the world’s oldest forms of hatred, we must first clearly identify it. In this light, we see the IHRA [International] Definition as an important non-legally binding educational tool to help us determine what is and what is not antisemitic, which allows us to work toward a society that is better for all British Columbians.”

Campaign Against Antisemitism has consistently backed efforts by the Government to encourage widespread adoption of the Definition by local authorities, universities, public bodies and other institutions. The UK was the first country in the world to adopt the Definition, something for which Campaign Against Antisemitism, Lord Pickles and others worked hard over many meetings with officials at Downing Street.