JEWISH COMMUNITY GROUPS WELCOME ONTARIO ACTION TO HOLD UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES ACCOUNTABLE In response to the Government of Ontario’s announcement of new directives to strengthen accountability at Ontario universities under Bill 166, @HillelOntario , the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), the @CanadianFSWC , @UJAFederation , the Network of Engaged Canadian Academics, @AlliedVoicesIL , and @StandWithUsCA released the following joint statement: “The Ontario government has introduced new requirements to strengthen how colleges and universities respond to hate and discrimination on campus — including minimum requirements for policies and rules, clearer complaint processes including ensuring that regardless where complaints are submitted they are referred through the complaint’s mechanism process, anti-hate training, and new consequences for institutions that fail to comply. "At Toronto Metropolitan University, Justice Benotto found that existing policies were too often not enforced “consistently and decisively.” These new measures reinforce a simple principle: institutions must not only have rules, they must enforce them. "We have consistently called for stronger accountability and meaningful consequences when institutions fail to protect students or enforce their own policies. "As Jewish students face harassment, exclusion and discrimination on campuses across Ontario, including through antizionist behaviour, policies cannot exist only on paper. Institutions must act — and there must be consequences when they fail to do so. "This is an important step forward by the Ontario government toward ensuring universities are accountable for providing safe and welcoming campuses for all students and staff." Read more details: ontario.ca/page/ministers-di…?