A recent survey has revealed alarming levels of antisemitism within Ontario's public school system. The report, submitted by former federal envoy Deborah Lyons, documented 781 antisemitic incidents across K-12 schools, primarily in metropolitan Toronto. Disturbingly, many of these incidents included Nazi references, such as “Heil Hitler” and “Hitler was right.” Notably, one in six incidents were initiated by teachers or involved school-sponsored activities.

In a particularly troubling case from October 2024, a six-year-old girl in Ottawa was told by her teacher that she was only “half human” because one of her parents is Jewish. This incident echoes the historical persecution faced by Jewish children in Nazi Germany, where their treatment varied from persecution to semi-toleration.

Historically, such blatant antisemitism would have led to immediate disciplinary action against the teacher involved. However, since 1997, the Ontario Ministry of Education has transferred its authority to regulate and discipline teachers to the Ontario College of Teachers (OCT). Critics argue that the OCT has become increasingly unaccountable, operating without sufficient oversight.

The OCT, along with affiliated organizations such as teacher federations and education faculties, has been criticized for promoting ideologies like Critical Race Theory (CRT) and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). These frameworks often categorize Jews as powerful and privileged, which some argue contributes to a culture of antisemitism within schools. The OCT has integrated CRT and DEI principles into its teacher conduct requirements, focusing heavily on narratives that portray Israel negatively while elevating Palestinian perspectives.

In response to the rising antisemitism, the OCT appointed a Jewish “equity officer” to address complaints. However, this role is limited to educational measures rather than punitive actions, leading to concerns about its effectiveness. The Lyons report highlighted that there have been only 14 disciplinary actions related to antisemitism in over two decades. In the case of the “half-human” comment, the child was moved to another classroom, while the teacher remained in her position.

The Elementary Teachers Federation of Ontario (ETFO), which represents 83,000 members, has a substantial financial reserve of $300 million, with a significant portion allocated for defense. For comparison, the U.S. National Education Association, representing 2.8 million members, has an endowment of $428 million.

Following the violent events involving Hamas on October 7, 2023, the OCT's perceived inaction regarding antisemitism has led to the formation of the Jewish Educators and Families Association of Canada (JEFA). Earlier this month, JEFA released a report titled “End the Crisis in Education: A Plan for Equal Rights and Real Learning,” which followed a 21-month investigation. One key recommendation from the report is a judicial inquiry to assess whether Jewish educators are receiving fair representation from their unions.

While the report primarily addresses antisemitism in schools, it also serves as a comprehensive plan for the Ontario government to revitalize a struggling public education system.