Beryl Wajsman

Concordia puts political correctness above security

By Dan Laxer and Beryl Wajsman, Editor
The Suburban

The Suburban wanted to know why there was no police intervention in last Thursday’s break-in to Concordia by antisemitic and pro-Palestinian mobs where security personnel were assaulted and property on many floors damaged and destroyed.

We put out emails and calls to Concordia Security, to Concordia media relations, and to Graham Carr, the university’s president, as well as to SPVM officers and media personnel. We asked whether security personnel called police for help when the Hall Building was broken into. If they did, what was the SPVM’s response, and if they did not call, why not.

Concordia spokesperson Vannina Maestracci answered that the SPVM were indeed on-hand “around campus. In consultation with them we decided not to request an intervention when protestors entered the Hall Building. We did not feel police presence at that stage would have helped to de-escalate the situation, especially as some seemed to want to provoke a confrontation with our agents and police and the disruption could have actually been longer with an intervention. The protestors did indeed leave after 20 minutes or so.” A source familiar with the situation said there was concern in the Concordia administration that police intervention may have given a “victory” to the demonstrators who would have called it suppression of the right to demonstrate. No distinction was drawn between demonstration of expression and destruction of property.

A statement by Provost and Vice President Anne Whitelaw, and Vice-President for Services and Sustainability Michael Di Grappa sent to The Suburban states, “We are writing to condemn in the strongest possible terms the antisemitic events that took place outside Concordia last week. On Thursday, November 21, during student strike activities, a demonstrator made the Nazi salute and referenced the ‘final solution’ in front of a group of counter protesters on the corner of Mackay and De Maisonneuve streets.These despicable words and gestures, which were clearly intended to intimidate members of our community, are completely unacceptable. We will not tolerate hate speech on our campuses. University personnel are actively working with law enforcement to ensure everyone involved is held fully accountable for their criminal acts and/or violations of the Code of Rights and Responsibilities. We ask all Concordians to stand up against hate, intimidation and violence — showing unequivocally that antisemitism has no place at our university.

SPVM spokesperson Mélanie Bergeron responded to The Suburban as follows, “Last Thursday, around noon, student demonstrations in support of Palestine took place at Concordia University, Dawson College and McGill University. Students demonstrated in the streets and marched towards Concordia University. Around 2:15 p.m., the demonstrators entered a building at Concordia University. Police officers from the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM) were present to support the security of the institution. An assault was committed against a security guard and graffiti was painted inside the building. University security officers took charge of the demonstrators and deemed that our presence was not necessary. The demonstrators stayed for about an hour and then resumed their march in the streets. An investigation is currently being conducted by the SPVM to establish the circumstances of the misdeeds and the assault. For more information on this event, we invite you to contact Concordia University.” n

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DDO Councillor Tanya Toledano to run for Conservatives in Pierrefonds-Dollard

By Beryl Wajsman, Editor
The Suburban

DDO Councillor Tanya Toledano will be the federal Conservative candidate in the riding of Pierrefonds-Dollard in the next federal election in 2025. A resident of DDO since birth, she holds Bachelors degrees in business and law. Toledano has been a successful small business owner for some 20 years. Over the past 15 years, she has served on a variety of Boards of Directors for various community organizations. She has volunteered in a women’s shelter; delivered meals to those in need; taught online to seniors; and used her media platforms to generate awareness about community issues and important causes. The Suburban had an opportunity to sit down with her and get her views and ideas. This is Part One of a two-part story.

The Suburban: Why did you decide to run to be a candidate for the Conservative Party?

Tanya Toledano: The short answer is because I felt “called to service.”

It does not feel like we are living in the same country that I grew up in. The cost of living has skyrocketed, people are being turned away from food banks and citizens are living in tent encampments in major cities across the country.

Calls for violence and hate speech are being spewed on our streets without consequence and the next generation is seriously preoccupied with whether they will ever be able to afford homes of their own in our country.

People are craving a return to common sense. I believe they want a government that ensures that hard work pays off, that crime will be punished, that freedom is preserved and inspires hope for the next generation.

I am a firm believer in the idea that ‘if you don’t speak up now, don’t complain later.’ It is time to speak up and to stand up. This is me standing up to represent the community that I grew up in, where my husband and I chose to raise our family and where I currently represent the residents of Dollard-des-Ormeaux in the capacity of City Councillor.

TS: What experiences have you had that would make you a good MP?

TT: Having been involved in community life and with charitable organizations over the years has provided me with some insight into various needs within the community as well as an understanding of what it means to advocate for community members.

In my role as City Councillor in Dollard-des-Ormeaux, I am entrusted to advocate for our residents to ensure they have what they need. This can sometimes be specific to the individual, but often concerns all residents, as is the case with services, language of service, maintenance and improvement of facilities and ensuring that all our residents continue to enjoy the lifestyle that made them choose to call Dollard home. It goes without saying that all of this must be done in a fiscally responsible manner.

These experiences have all contributed to my ability to listen to community members to understand their concerns and then to translate that into advocacy and action, all while respecting the reality of a budget and limited resources.

TS: What challenges are the residents of Pierrefonds-Dollard facing?

TT: I believe that the residents of Pierrefonds-Dollard are facing the same challenges as the rest of Canadians. After nine years of Justin Trudeau, they are facing challenges at the grocery store which are exacerbated by their increased mortgage payments or unprecedented rent rates. They are concerned about what the future holds for the next generation and are supporting them at home for longer than ever before.

As Mom to four young adults, I can tell you that I have heard, and had, many conversations with them and their peers — some from the riding and some not. Their conversations constantly revolve around the lack of affordable housing in Canada and how they will ever be able to afford homes of their own in our country.

This is me speaking up and standing up alongside Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who understands that if you don’t have it, you don’t spend it and that hard work should come with the rewards of being able to afford a home in which to raise one’s family in a safe neighbourhood, with good healthy food on the table and without having to triple-guess every. single. decision. at the grocery store. n

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Quebec Liberals present petition on WI flood map opposition

By Beryl Wajsman,Editor
The Suburban

Provincial Liberals and the Mayor of the Vaudreuil-Dorion have added their voices to that of Pierrefonds-Roxboro’s Mayor Jim Beis against the new provincial flood map. That map, as The Suburban has reported, is resulting in thousands of homes being uninsurable. They had not been listed on any flood zone maps before.

The mayor of Vaudreuil-Dorion Guy Pilon said, “I find it absolutely stupid because they did the same thing in 2019.” He said about 2,000 homes would find themselves in a flood zone. Those living in high-risk areas would no longer be able to rebuild if their house is ever flooded. “You cannot rebuild, so what’s your land worth? No one would buy a land where you cannot build!” The mayor wants more done such as building another dike, but the province has turned him down. “They’re telling us they’re going to pay every year, every two years, three years for flooding, but don’t want to invest in a little dike,” Pilon said.

In the National Assembly, Quebec Liberal housing critic Virginie Dufour has presented a citizens petition on the same issue. It calls on the government to delay the adoption of the new regulations and extend consultations. and also asks for a simplified and accessible process to review and update flood zone maps. The petition also highlights complaints received by the Quebec Ombudsman, alleging errors in the new flood zone mapping.

Petitioners have the same concerns that the municipalities and Mayors do. The flood map changes could have major consequences on property values, the insurability of homes, and the ability to renew mortgages for many affected individuals.

Dufour told The Suburban said that, “Given the far-reaching implications of this regulatory change, both economically and socially, I believe it is important to shed light on the concerns being voiced by citizens.” Anyone wishing to sign the petition can go to the following link.

https://m.assnat.qc.ca/fr/exprimez-votre-opinion/petition/Petition-11045/index.html?fbclid=IwY2xjawF_lgBleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHWV7nUGvvMX7R6fpJiROFKWJ3H16rrmPj5mrfmcdT10JwzkWy2t77wmRVA_aem_7zDGiv7z8il8uN8IN_5TvQ n

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Suburban Exclusive: Mayor Plante served by bailiff with demand letter holding her personally responsible for inaction against anti-Semitism and “climate of anarchy”

Beryl Wajsman – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Attorney Neil Oberman, senior partner at Spiegel Sohmer, has served Mayor Plante with a formal demand letter by bailiff that the City of Montreal immediately intervene and enforce all laws, by-laws and regulations governing unlawful assemblies. Oberman and his firm represent plaintiffs identified as “Concerned Citizens 1 and 2” who have instituted the proceedings against the City of Montreal and holding the Mayor personally responsible. The Suburban obtained an exclusive copy of the demand.

The letter, addressed directly to Plante as the “duly elected official responsible for ensuring the protection of all citizens of Montréal,” states that she has — since October 8, 2023 — “..neglected your duty as the Mayor to ensure that respectable citizens of the island of Montreal are able to enjoy their public areas, residence, and be able to access different buildings given that you and your administration have rejected the rule of law.” The letter goes on to state that, “…Montreal has become a territory for extreme groups who assemble with the view of spreading hate and interfering with the daily lives of Montrealers under the guise of freedom for terrorism.”

The plaintiffs also claim that these groups, “…promote hatred towards Jews, the murder of innocent Israelis and [demonstrate] a complete disregard for all laws that are governing our society.” The letter puts the onus squarely on the Mayor stating she has, “…done absolutely nothing to ensure that the Fire Department, the City of Montreal’s public works department, and its police are given appropriate tools.”

The demand cites the Canadian Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms, sections:1,2,6, 10, 11 and following. It explains the reasons for anonymity of the clients are that,”…given that the city of Montreal and the police department are unable to protect persons of the Jewish persuasion in Montreal, our clients are refusing to provide their names on the basis that there is no protection for their person.” It goes on to note that,”… the Mayor of Westmount has taken the matter seriously but appears not be able to find solutions because the City of Montreal is negligent.”

The demand makes reference to the letter of November 12, 2023, by the Association of Suburban Municipalities (“ASM”) signed by ASM President Beny Masella, Mayor of Montreal West, requesting additional police resources to stop the violence and hate assemblies and criticizes the Mayor for not even having given the courtesy of a response. The demand letter then goes on to list 30 “hate assemblies that you allowed” and lists a 31st that proceeds on a continuing basis.

Perhaps the most pointed accusation against the Mayor is that she is being held responsible for,”…creating a climate of anarchy.” It goes on to address the Mayor personally as having, “…allowed masked people spewing hatred and violence to continue to block streets, public routes, transportation, businesses and residents, and you do so with impunity and you do so with the complete utter disrespect to the people who you are charged with protecting.”

It puts the Mayor on notice that if, “…..you fail to find a proper solution to the foregoing, our clients will hold you liable for all further actions that are taken by these uncivilized and anti-democratic bodies that are simply spewing anti-Semitism in Montreal.”

The demand further puts the Mayor on further notice that if you, “… fail to properly reply to this letter, provide a detailed plan of how you will stop the unlawful hate assemblies and on how you will instruct the appropriate authorities to block these unlawful persons from entering upon public property for the purposes of causing further destruction and interference with good citizens, the same will result in legal proceedings against you and anybody else who does not exercise their duties in accordance with their mandate, regulations and enabling statutes.”

Oberman told The Suburban that further legal actions will follow if the Mayor does not respond. The demand letter was cc’d for informational purposes and delivered by bailiff to Jimmy Zoubris,Special Counsel to the Mayor; Fady Dagher, Chief SPVM; Bruno Lachance, Chief of Service Incendie Montréal; François Charpentier and Martin Prud’homme,Direction générale adjointe Sécurité urbaine et Conformité; and Mayor Christina Smith,Westmount. n

Suburban Exclusive: Mayor Plante served by bailiff with demand letter holding her personally responsible for inaction against anti-Semitism and “climate of anarchy” Read More »

Former Justice Minister Cotler under 24-hour RCMP protection due to threats

Beryl Wajsman – The Suburban LJI Reporter

Former Federal Justice Minister and Mount Royal MP Irwin Cotler is under 24-hour RCMP protection because of a threat to his life, two sources informed Toronto’s Globe and Mail newspaper. The paper broke the story when Mr. Cotler failed to show up for an event at the newspaper’s offices where the son of jailed Hong Kong publisher Jimmy Lai was presenting the screening of a documentary about his father.

Cotler is one of the world’s leading human rights and Israel advocates. He has represented political prisoners and activists under persecution in countries around the world. The Globe and Mail was not able to learn who or what organization or country threatened Cotler. The Globe is not identifying its sources because, “they were not authorized to speak on the matter.” It reached out to the RCMP which did not respond to questions about the threat. The Suburban attempted to reach Mr. Cotler directly several times but his phone went right to voicemail.The Suburban also contacted the SPVM who said it had no details because as a former federal minister it was the RCMP who had jurisdiction. The RCMP has not yet returned an answer to our inquiry.

In his work he has criticized many foreign governments, including Iran for its conduct in the 2020 shooting-down of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, which left about 55 Canadians and 30 permanent residents dead, as well as Tehran’s funding of Hamas. Hamas, designated a terrorist group by the Canadian government, carried out the Oct. 7 attacks against Israel that left some 1,400 Israelis dead, with hundreds taken hostage. Several weeks ago he gave a rousing speech at a Montreal rally condemning Hamas and demanding the freeing of the hostages.

Mr. Cotler served as Canada’s special envoy on Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism from 2020 to 2023, and had regularly warned of a massive rise in antisemitism. Last month he wrote a column in The Globe attacking “Russia, China, Iran and its terrorist proxies – Hamas and Hezbollah – and North Korea which comprise a new authoritarian “axis of evil.”

In 2015, Mr. Cotler founded the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, a Montreal-based organization dedicated to promoting human rights, advocating for political prisoners and combatting injustice around the world. The group works in the memory of Mr. Wallenberg, a Swedish diplomat who saved 100,000 Jews during the Second World War by issuing them diplomatic passports and sheltering them in safe houses. n

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Exclusive interview with family of murdered Canadian

Beryl Wajsman – The Suburban LJI Reporter

The Suburban had the opportunity for an exclusive interview last week with the family of Tiferet Lapidot, who was killed by Hamas terrorists during their Oct. 7 attack on Israel. She was at the Super Nova music festival, where some 260 people were killed. The family had thought she was a hostage in Gaza, but her body was found in Israel Oct. 17. Tiferet’s story sparked considerable interest throughout the country as she was one of six Canadians killed on Oct.7. Her family’s ties to Canada go back to her grandmother’s life in Saskatchewan and the family maintained joint Israeli-Canadian citizenship. The interview took place at the Israeli Consulate in Montreal and was made possible by Amb. Paul Hirschson, Israel’s Consul-General. We interviewed Sarit Lapidot, Tiferet’s mother; Ohad Lapidot, Tiferet’s father; Harel Lapidot, Tiferet’s uncle and Rashit Lapidot, Tiferet’s sister.

The Suburban: It would be impossible to think of the pain you mustallbe feeling, but tell us what do you want people to know from what you all have lived through?

Ohad: The threat that the Western world is fighting. Israel is just the frontier for a great threat that we have to peace and our own concept of values that Canada and Israel share. At that music festival, there was a great slaughter, a great butchering that we can’t even imagine in our wildest dreams. It was worse than Auschwitz, not in the amount, but in the cruelty. The whole world should know about this.

TS: The Prime Minister-elect of the Netherlands said there is now not a clash between civilizations, but between civilization and barbarism. We get the impression Western Europe, and the United States, are staying with Israel longer than at any previous Gaza encounter. Do you think Western Europe and the U.S. are getting it?

Ohad: I really hope so. I agree with you that this is what is going on. I hope they understand, the sooner the better. It’s a matter of time before the whole world faces this great threat.

TS: We know this is difficult to answer, but tell us about the last conversation with Tiferet on the phone, while she was hiding in the bushes.

Rashit: She just wanted to speak with my mom. I think it was kind of a goodbye, she didn’t want to freak her out. She said,” I love you.” For 10 days, we didn’t know what happened to her.

TS: What indications did the family have that maybe she was taken hostage?

Harel: The signal of Tiferet’s phone was in Gaza. It’s not enough that they killed, did those horrible things, they even took the cell phones from the bodies. The cruelty was not enough, they took what they could. Unbelievable! This was planned. They knew who was going to shoot, who was going to rape, who was going to kill. As far as we know, they were trained on dolls, animals for them to be able to do those horrible things. But the most horrific thing was to see the Gazan civilians cheering, clapping when they took the hostages, beating them.

TS: When the fences were broken, Gazan civilians came in. There’s video of Gazan civilians beheading dead Israeli soldiers and doing other horrific things.

Harel: During World War II, many people in Western and Eastern Europe risked their lives [to save Jews]. In the streets of Gaza, nobody stopped them, not one human being was there to stop them. Those animals standing in the street, clapping, happy, throwing candies, when a human being, young girls, were taken. Not even one soul stopped them!

TS: Tiferet would volunteer, would teach in underprivileged areas as we understand.

Harel: At the same time Tiferet volunteered for kids in South Africa, she didn’t ask if they were Jews, Muslims or Christians, most of them were Muslims and Christians. None were Jews. but kids are kids. If a kid needs help, we’re going to help them. At the same time she was volunteering for kids, those animals were teaching their soldiers how to murder kids, how to butcher them. That’s the most unbearable thing to think about. The values we share are so different than the values they share.

TS: Maybe this horrible incident will wake up a generation to understand there is total evil.

Harel: We were taught that Auschwitz was another planet. It wasn’t. Oct. 7 was one day of Auschwitz.

TS: As a mother, what is your gut feeling, no filter, and what do you want people to know?

Sarit: (after a long pause to gather her emotions): (translated from Hebrew) Almost every minute, every hour, I was waiting for the phone to ring. Tiferet’s friends said beautiful things about her, about her great soul, the light that came from her and how people are talking about her. I always knew Tiferet had a big soul for the world, and that she was going to do and create great things for the whole world. Tiferet encouraged her friends, made them feel happier and brighter, and if their hearts were broken, she told them how to cure their hearts.

TS: She believed people could be brought together if one person is good? After something like this, do you think the world has learned that perhaps people can’t be brought together until both sides respect each other? Can you maintain the same level of tikvah (hope) she had about people relating to each other?

Sarit: (translated from Hebrew): I think the world does not understand what we went through, because after such a horrific day, and days, people are not gathering and hugging. Instead, they criticize. How can you criticize light and say something about darkness that is good?

Harel: It’s like cheering for the Nazis and criticizing the Allies in World War II, when the evil in the world is so dark and you can see it [right in front of you].

TS: Do you think more of the world is getting it than before? We have to ask that question. How has this affected the six siblings?

Rashit: Each of us feels differently. I lost both my sister and my best friend. My youngest brother lost his funny big sister. She had a special connection with each one of us.

TS: How do you react to the opinion that the music festival, criticized by some for being held on Shabbat, basically stopped what was planned to be a much bigger attack? Does it give you any comfort?

Ohad: I think Jewish people have a great message to the world….We are hunted generation after generation due to the fact that the war with Hamas is not about occupied territory in Gaza. It’s about the fight between the bad and the good, and now it’s our turn in history to be part of this great thing we bring to the world. Now we paid the price, but there’s no doubt that the new chapter of the history of Israel is now written. Part of the history of Israel is going to be written in Tiferet’s blood.

Harel: Professor Irwin Cotler told us that when it starts with the Jews, it never ends with the Jews. The world has to understand that. He also told us, 2023 is not and never will be 1943. The people of Israel are strong and will do whatever it should do to bring a peaceful end and demolish those Nazis, ISIS, Hamas, period.

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DDO synagogue and WI Jewish Federation attacked with Molotov cocktails

Beryl Wajsman – The Suburban LJI Reporter

There was shock and outrage in the Montreal Jewish community as staff and members of DDO’s Congregation Beth Tikvah arrived Tuesday morning to charred and burnt front doors and the remnants of a Molotov cocktail thrown at the synagogue. The attack against the synagogue was apparently done sometime in the dark, early hours of Tuesday. Four police cruisers arrived within minutes of the synagogue informing the SPVM. The remnants of another Molotov cocktail were then found at the doors of Federation CJA’s West Island offices nearby. No one was injured at either site. The investigation is ongoing. All security cameras in the area are being checked for clues as to the identities of the assailants. The SPVM Hate Squad is involved in the investigation.

Strong condemnations and messages of support quickly flowed in from Montrealers. Henry Topas, the Cantor at the Congregation and B’nai Brith Canada’s Quebec Regional Director, told The Suburban that, “We were shocked to find the remnants of a Molotov Cocktail thrown at our front doors. No one was injured but the doors are clearly fire-damaged. We thank the SPVM (Montreal Police) and the Community Security Trust (CST) for their quick response and all the work they have been doing to keep our community safe in this trying time,” Topas said.

Federation CJA President and CEO Yair Szalk said, “Antisemitism must be called out and condemned wherever it rears its ugly head, whether it’s words or actions, none of it belongs in our streets. The perpetrators must be held accountable. Federation CJA and our director of Community Security is in close contact with the SPVM to ensure the safety of our community.”

“Since the horrific terrorist attacks of Oct. 7, we’ve seen an explosion in antisemitism. Now, the same hate we’ve seen on the streets of Montreal crossed a red line and morphed into action. The targeting of Jewish institutions is unacceptable and must be addressed. While we acknowledge those who have spoken out, its time leaders across civil society, including in educational institutions such as universities and CECEPs, play an active role in the fight against antisemitism. They must set the tone for what’s acceptable in our society and what will not be tolerated,” said CIJA Vice-President Eta Yudin.

Robert-Baldwin MNA Brigitte Garceau told The Suburban,” I am deeply shaken by the hateful acts committed against the Jewish community in my riding, which must be denounced in he strongest terms. I offer all my thoughts and support to Congregation Beth Tikvah and all members of Federation CJA and the Jewish community during these difficult times.”

DDO Mayor Alex Bottausci said to The Suburban, “I strongly condemn the attack on the Congregation Beth Tikvah synagogue which took place in our city. I want to be clear that our city condemns all hate crimes. The safety of our residents is our top priority and any threat to stability and peace will be dealt with immediately. Violence and aggression are unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our community. This is not who we are and it does not reflect our values.”

Father Bertrand Montpetit of St-Lukes Catholic Parish in DDO visited Beth Tikvah in person on Tuesday to show support. “These things should not happen. It’s so sad to see people attacking places of worship,” Montpetit told The Suburban.“It’s so sad to see so many innocents suffering because of this, both on the Israeli and Palestinian side. For the last few weeks at our Sunday masses, we pray for peace and especially peace in Middle East.”

Pastor Jim Slack at Christ the Redeemer Lutheran Church, only one minute away from Beth Tikvah, told The Suburban that he is deeply saddened by the news of a fire-bombing at Beth Tikvah. “I pray for the Rabbi and members of Beth Tikvah as they experience such a jolt to their sense of security and belonging in this community.”

B’nai Brith Canada issued a statement saying, “This heinous act occurred against the backdrop of weeks of incitement against the Jewish community at hate rallies across the country following Hamas’ brutal Oct. 7 attack on Israel. Jews, who comprise approximately 1 per cent of the country’s population, remain Canada’s most targeted religious minority, with antisemitism accounting for 66.9 per cent of all hate crimes in 2022.”

“There is no place for this in our community. We are shocked, saddened and outraged. This attack has no place in DDO, Montreal, Quebec or Canada. DDO is a beautiful community where people of various religious backgrounds live together with, we all have different points of view, but we live and work together,” Congregation Beth Tikvah president, Charles Leibovich, told The Suburban.

Earlier this year the Hebrew Foundation School, which is next to the synagogue, was attacked by two young men who tore down and defaced Israeli flags.

Tuesday’s attack came just forty-eight hours before Nov. 9th’s 85th commemoration of Kristallnacht, the pogrom called the “Night of Broken Glass”, that saw the burning of hundreds of German synagogues and killing of thousands of Jews by the Nazis that historians date as the beginning of the Holocaust that saw the slaughter of six million Jews.

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