Ben Carr has been re-elected as the Liberal MP for Winnipeg South having won his seat easily over his nearest opponent Royden Brousseau. Carr recently spoke out in favour of the need for bubble legislation, at a municipal level that would mean that Palestinians and their allies who wished to protest outside the Asper Campus or our synagogues will not be permitted within 25 meters of the relevant buildings. Bubble legislation would mean that protesters who can be very aggressive would not be able to come within 25 feet of any religious institution or community centre
This bubble legislation arguably would be invaluable in ensuring safety and in not allowing for intimidation and harassment of people who want to enter the community institution. It would mean that protesters for example could not shout profanities near the entrance of the Asper Campus as people try to attend the Israel Pavilion during Folklorama, as has occurred last year. Will Doug Eyolfson, the new Liberal MP for Winnipeg West, who defeated Conservative incumbent Marty Morantz share Carr’s view on the need for bubble legislation? The Asper Campus, which houses the vast bulk of our Jewish communal institutions, is in Eyolfson’s riding and is no longer in Carr’s riding. Eyolfson’s view in this regard thus could be important, even though bubble legislation is something that would need to be implemented at the municipal, not the federal level. If Eyolfson did not support this bubble legislation could it help doom the idea ? It remains to be seen whether bubble legislation will be proposed and passed in Winnipeg, or whether it will be an idea that is not turned into reality. To date, there have not been any protests by our Jewish community members outside of mosques or Muslim institutions in Winnipeg, but there have been protests outside of the Asper Campus, which also houses a school.
In the fall of 2024, Carr introduced Anthony Housefather, former Prime Minister Trudeau’s Special Advisor on Jewish community matters at an event at Etz Chayim synagogue, at which I was present. Housefather was re-elected in his Montreal riding fending off a challenge from Conservative challenger Neil Oberman.
Oberman is a Montreal lawyer who was in the spotlight when he represented a Concordia student who sent a letter to the university’s administration demanding it take immediate steps against antisemitism and violence directed at Jewish students. In March 2024, Oberman represented the Jewish community at large in its attempt to have a court order an injunction against protesting outside schools and synagogues.
I have wondered whether Prime Minister Carney will appoint a special advisor on Jewish community issues as former Prime Minister Trudeau did, and if so, whether Housefather would again be appointed. Housefather supported Christia Freeland in the Liberal leadership race such that maybe he would not be Carney’s choice. The truth is that I really do not know.
Housefather and Carr and another Liberal MP were the only three members of the Liberal party to vote against the motion to stop military aid to Israel. They were also the only Librals to vote against the NDP motion to recognize Palestinian statehood. In an interview in April 2025 with the CBC, Eyolfson stated he would like to widen Canada’s weapons embargo on Israel, by also targeting any weapons Canada sells to the United States, that are then sold to Israel. His views in this regard are very different than those of Conservative MP Marty Morantz, whom he defeated.
In his talk at Etz Chayim synagogue Housefather that he was an advocate of the IHRA definition of antisemitism and said he"wants to convince" universities to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.He said he thinks this could happen if several universities adopted this as a group at the same time. I do not think this is likely to happen.
I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Marty Morantz for his devoted service to our Jewish community. Morantz spoke out strongly and clearly against the tide of rising antisemitism since the Oct 7 attack. He was an outspoken pro-Israel voice, who visited Israel in the wake of the Hamas attacks. He was a good friend to our Jewish community, someone who was alert to its needs and I wish him all the best going forward.
