FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 6, 2014
OTTAWA, ON – Yesterday, the Honourable Irwin Cotler, MP for Mount Royal, announced that he will not be seeking re-election at the end of this term of Parliament.
In response, Shimon Koffler Fogel, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), issued the following statement:
"David Koschitzky, National Chair of CIJA, and the entire Board of Directors join me in thanking Mr. Cotler, a great Canadian, for the enormous contribution he has made to Canada and particularly to the Canadian Jewish community. He will leave an unparalleled legacy as an intellectual and as a passionate advocate for the values that make our country great – values embedded in the Jewish tradition he is so proud to call his own.
"Whether as a distinguished professor of law, a world-renowned human rights activist, President of the Canadian Jewish Congress, Member of Parliament or as the Minister of Justice, Irwin Cotler served his country, touched countless lives here at home and around the world, and inspired many – particularly young Jewish Canadians.
"We wish Irwin continued success and happiness along with the best of health, and we hope that we will have the honour of benefiting from his advice, counsel and continuing leadership in the years ahead."