Network to combat anti-Semitism found in government service

OTTAWA Jewish civil servants met the prime minister’s special envoy on fighting anti-Semitism to ask for support dealing with antiJewish abuse and slurs in the federal public service.

The government officials have formed a support network to provide a “safe space” where they can share experiences of anti-Semitism and to change the culture in the sector.

On Tuesday, they met Irwin Cotler, the prime minister’s anti-Semitism envoy, to relay to him the problem in government offices. Some expressed fears that antiJewish hatred risked becoming marginalized in the government’s fight against discrimination and racism in the public service.

Artur Wilczynski, Canada’s former ambassador to Norway, said this is the first time in his 30 years working in the public service that Jewish public servants have formed such a group, which met for the first time during Hanukkah this month.

He said while some government departments — including his own — take anti-Semitism seriously, some within the public service have been “tone deaf to the experiences of Jewish colleagues.”

The Jewish public service network, founded by public servant Jonathon Greenberg, met the Privy Council Office this month to voice their concerns and to try to ensure that inclusivity and diversity training in all government departments includes anti-Semitism.

The group said the Privy Council appeared to be receptive to their concerns.

Kayla Estrin, a federal official for 30 years, said anti-Semitism “has caused many of us stress and anxiety.”