AUPE head issues an apology for his remark

B’nai Brith brands the term, ‘shekel’ as anti-semitic

The president of Alberta’s largest union apologized Friday after remarks he made with anti-semitic undertones were roundly criticized by B’nai Brith Canada.

On Thursday, AUPE president Guy Smith criticized Alberta Health Minister Tyler Shandro in an interview with CBC, in which he spoke about a $2-an-hour increase in wages for health care aides in the province.

“When Minister Shandro made the announcement, he sort of walked into the town square, and threw a few shekels on the ground to see who would go scrambling for it, and then he just walked away,” Smith said.

The quote was shared on social media by the AUPE and was brought to the attention of B’nai Brith Canada, which said Smith used an “age-old anti-semitic stereotype” and called for the AUPE to remove the post from its social media channels and issue an immediate apology.

The issue lies with the use of the word “shekels.”

As Ran Ukashi, the national director for the League for Human Rights of B’nai Brith Canada explained, shekels were a unit of currency in both ancient and contemporary Israel.

“The reference itself is an odd reference to use in a Canadian context. It’s not the currency here,” Ukashi said.

“We often see this language used in anti-semitic propaganda. It can imply stinginess on the part of Jews. It can imply undue Jewish financial control on political systems or economies.”

A couple of hours after B’nai Brith tweeted about Smith’s comments, he unequivocally apologized in a letter to the organization.

“I unreservedly apologize to our Jewish brothers, sisters, friends and neighbours,” Smith wrote. “Yesterday, I made a statement which I have since learned is not acceptable and has impacted many people and entire communities in hurtful ways. I used the word ‘shekels’ in a manner that I was ignorant of. I own up to my ignorance knowing how dangerous ignorance is.

We often see this language used in anti-semitic propaganda. It can imply stinginess on the part of Jews.

“I have since learned ... this term and the way I used it is unacceptable, hurtful, and is anti-semitic.

“The image of someone throwing a few shekels on the ground contributes to negative stereotypes that the Jewish community has unfairly had to contend with for so long, and shouldn’t have to.

“This was not my intent, but that is not what is important now. The important part is the impact. The impact includes hurt, pain, contributing to stereotypes and the terrible view that anti-semitic speech is OK. It is not, and I was wrong to make use of the language I used yesterday.

“I acknowledge the impact and for that I am sorry.”

After receiving the letter, B’nai Brith Canada thanked Smith on social media for owning up to his actions and the sincerity of his apology.

Ukashi hopes that something positive might come out of the entire incident.

“It was genuine and we’re happy that the apology was made and he took responsibility and ownership of his actions,” Ukashi said. “It means a lot to the Jewish community.”