Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council

The Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council is a national advocacy & lobbying NPO advancing the interests of the growing Canadian Muslim community.

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

As municipal elections approach on Monday October 26th, the Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council (CMPAC) remains committed to strengthening civic participation and political engagement among Canadian Muslim communities across the province of Ontario.

CMPAC has received many requests for endorsements in different cities. However, given our primary focus on federal and provincial advocacy, CMPAC has chosen not to issue formal candidate endorsements at the municipal level. However we continue to focus on capacity building, community mobilization and facilitating meaningful participation in this election.

Through volunteer training and outreach, CMPAC is supporting civic engagement initiatives and connecting community volunteers with various municipal election campaigns. CMPAC is also facilitating community consultations in municipalities across Ontario to identify shared priorities and support community-led consensus regarding potential candidates across different municipalities. #cdnpoli

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

CMPAC welcomes the overwhelming decision by Albertans to remain part of Canada, with approximately 76% voting against separation, according to unofficial results from Elections Alberta, with nearly 1.9 million votes counted.

In the lead-up to the October 19 referendum, CMPAC worked alongside grassroots volunteers across Alberta to strengthen civic awareness and democratic participation among Canadian Muslims through educational sessions, community outreach and voter engagement initiatives.

CMPAC remains committed to empowering Canadian Muslim communities to actively engage in civic and democratic life and help shape a stronger more inclusive Canada. #cdnpoli

https://t.co/SPdgI4Yrw4

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

The UN World Food Programme @WFP has announced food assistance cuts to 500,000 Palestinians in Gaza due to funding shortages. Following the announcement, the price of a bundle of bread surged 140%,

This underscores the real and devastating consequences of reduced humanitarian assistance, compounded by Israel's continued restrictions on the entry of essential goods into Gaza. International humanitarian law prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and requires that humanitarian relief for civilians in need be allowed and facilitated.

In light of these obligations CMPAC calls on Foreign Affairs Minister @AnitaAnandMP to demand that Israel immediately end its restrictions on the entry and distribution of humanitarian aid throughout Gaza, including food, medical supplies, and other essential goods.
https://t.co/qVbcR0zqhT

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

CMPAC acknowledges that Public Safety Canada’s recognition of some distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism represents a positive step. However, we remain concerned by the lack of clarity in Public Safety Canada's interpretation of the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism, particularly its failure to establish an explicit distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. Furthermore, Public Safety’s report on antisemitism relies extensively on the IHRA definition, raising concerns about its implications for legitimate political expression and advocacy for Palestinian rights.

In its response, Public Safety Canada’s reassurance that criticism of Israel is acceptable when “similar to that levelled against any other country” fails to recognize that states facing accusations of genocide and war crimes will necessarily attract heightened condemnation and sustained political mobilization. The intensity of such criticism cannot reasonably serve as a basis for characterizing it as antisemitic.

The government's reliance on vague, context-dependent interpretations of anti-Zionism, without clearly articulated thresholds or safeguards, creates significant risks of inconsistent and discriminatory application. Such ambiguity can have serious consequences for university students, academic freedom, employment, policing, Palestinian solidarity advocacy, civil society groups, and the exercise of Charter-protected civil liberties.

CMPAC calls on Minister @gary_srp and @Safety_Canada to move beyond general assurances and establish explicit, rights-protective guidance distinguishing antisemitism from opposition to Zionism, criticism of Israeli state policies, and advocacy for Palestinian self-determination. Combating antisemitism must not provide a framework through which legitimate political expression is delegitimized, penalized or suppressed.

https://t.co/h8PFV4J3QF

[NCCM @nccm]

After significant community concern and advocacy, including much engagement by many Canadians, including NCCM, the Government of Canada has clarified in a response letter that anti-Zionism is not inherently antisemitic, reaffirming Canadians’ right to engage in open, respectful, and lawful debate about Israel, its government policies, and any political ideology.

In its response to NCCM on October 16th, the Minister of Public Safety reaffirmed that the Report is not intended to suggest that all criticism of Zionism or Israel is antisemitic, nor to limit or discourage lawful political expression and public debate.

While this clarification is a step in the right direction, many in our community remain concerned about the IHRA definition and how it may be applied in practice to chill legitimate political speech, even though the federal government states that it is non-prescriptive guidance and does not restrict Charter-protected freedoms.

Many Canadians have lost their jobs for innocuous statements critiquing Israel. We’ve taken many of these cases to court to protect their rights and have won.

We will continue to advocate for the protection of civil liberties, freedom of expression, and the right of all Canadians to engage in legitimate political debate without fear of having their views unfairly characterized.

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

By amplifying unverified allegations from the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (@ISGAP) without proper context, the @nationalpost has failed in its obligation to maintain editorial independence and professional rigor.

ISGAP is not an impartial research institution, it rather functions as an instrument of Israeli propaganda. Investigations by The Guardian and The Forward have documented its receipt of Israeli government funding, accounting for as much as 80% of ISGAP’s annual revenue in certain years, and its connections to former Israeli officials. When a publication amplifies a heavily state-funded advocacy group targeting domestic civil rights, basic journalistic standards require full disclosure of those financial pipelines.

The report treats ordinary features of democratic participation as indicators of subversion. Canadian Muslims organizing politically, mobilizing voters, engaging elected representatives, and advocating on matters of public policy are exercising charter protected rights. Equating standard civic engagement with foreign influence does more than reflect poor analysis; it constructs a dangerous narrative that treats the lawful political participation of Canadian Muslims as inherently suspicious. This is a direct contribution to this islamophobic smear campaign.

CMPAC and the Canadian Muslim communities deserve the same standards of editorial accountability afforded to any other community in Canada. The National Post must answer for the standards applied in this reporting and the consequences of legitimizing allegations that risk stigmatizing lawful Muslim civic participation. The National Post must retract this article and apologize to the Muslim community and the organizations it smeared, amplifying questionable Islamophobic sources.

[National Post @nationalpost]

Report traces alleged Muslim Brotherhood influence in Canada https://t.co/SqPLX7ptE1

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

@nationalpost @CMPAConline 's response to the article. https://t.co/h5rBfkZCWE

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

By amplifying unverified allegations from the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy (ISGAP) without proper context, the @nationalpost has failed in its obligation to maintain editorial independence and professional rigor.

ISGAP is not an impartial research institution, it rather functions as an instrument of Israeli propaganda. Investigations by The Guardian and The Forward have documented its receipt of Israeli government funding, accounting for as much as 80% of ISGAP’s annual revenue in certain years, and its connections to former Israeli officials. When a publication amplifies a heavily state-funded advocacy group targeting domestic civil rights, basic journalistic standards require full disclosure of those financial pipelines.

The report treats ordinary features of democratic participation as indicators of subversion. Canadian Muslims organizing politically, mobilizing voters, engaging elected representatives, and advocating on matters of public policy are exercising charter protected rights. Equating standard civic engagement with foreign influence does more than reflect poor analysis; it constructs a dangerous narrative that treats the lawful political participation of Canadian Muslims as inherently suspicious. This is a direct contribution to this islamophobic smear campaign.

CMPAC and the Canadian Muslim communities deserve the same standards of editorial accountability afforded to any other community in Canada. The National Post must answer for the standards applied in this reporting and the consequences of legitimizing allegations that risk stigmatizing lawful Muslim civic participation. The National Post must retract this article and apologize to the Muslim community and the organizations it smeared, amplifying questionable Islamophobic sources.

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

Today, October 19, Albertans head to the polls to participate in the provincial referendum.

In the lead-up to today's vote, CMPAC has worked alongside grassroots volunteers across Alberta to strengthen civic awareness and democratic participation among Canadian Muslims through educational sessions and community outreach.

Every voice matters in shaping the future of Alberta and contributing to a stronger Canada.

We encourage all eligible Albertans to familiarize themselves with the referendum questions, make informed decisions and exercise their democratic right to vote. #cdnpoli

find out where your voting location is: https://t.co/vl4eS6GRGk

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

Israel continues to advance its so-called “Yellow Line” deeper into Gaza, a military demarcation established under the October 2025 ceasefire that divides the territory between ‘Israeli military control’ and Palestinian areas.

Despite the ceasefire, Israel continues to expand its territorial control through military attacks and forced displacement, pushing Palestinian families into increasingly confined areas. Nearly 1,500 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military since the ceasefire.

CMPAC calls on Foreign Affairs Minister @AnitaAnandMP and the Government of Canada to demand an immediate end to Israel's territorial expansion and forced displacement of Palestinians, press for the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and pursue concrete accountability measures for violations of international humanitarian law.

https://t.co/SbqSrQsCKO

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

The latest attacks by Israeli settlers against Palestinian olive harvesters and journalists in the occupied West Bank reflect the escalating violence, dispossession and impunity facing Palestinian communities amid Israel's continued illegal settlement expansion.

Canada has repeatedly affirmed that Israeli settlements violate international law and, alongside international partners, announced its intention to prohibit trade with illegal Israeli settlements. These commitments must be translated into concrete measures.

MP @SalmaZahid15 and members of the Canada–Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group are urging Foreign Affairs Minister @AnitaAnandMP to accelerate the implementation of Canada's sanctions regime and adopt the measures proposed by the Global Sanctions Coalition under the Special Economic Measures Act.

Canada must follow through on its commitment to prohibit illegal settlement trade, strengthen targeted sanctions against individuals and entities facilitating illegal settlement activity, and ensure meaningful accountability for violations of international law.

Continued settlement expansion, settler violence and the displacement of Palestinian communities underscore the urgency of translating Canada's stated commitments into enforceable policy measures. #cdnpoli https://t.co/rUT5fGUaPP

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

CMPAC stands in solidarity with the BC Muslim coomunity and endorses BCMA’s @bc_muslim statement condemning the anti-Muslim remarks made by @katy_merrifield, Campaign Director of the Conservative Party of British Columbia @Conservative_BC, including remarks vilifying Islam and Muslim communities.

Amid rising Islamophobia across Canada, such rhetoric from senior political figures risks legitimizing anti-Muslim discrimination, reinforcing harmful stereotypes, undermining the safety of Muslim communities, and contributing to a political climate in which their marginalization becomes increasingly normalized.

CMPAC echoes BCMA’s call for the Leader of the Conservative Party of BC @LDoerkson to remove Merrifield from campaign leadership and public-facing roles, issue a formal public apology to Muslim British Columbians, explicitly reject anti-Muslim rhetoric, and outline concrete measures to prevent its recurrence.

We further support BCMA’s call for all political parties to adopt and enforce clear standards against Islamophobia, antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and religious bigotry, provide appropriate anti-racism and anti-Islamophobia training, and ensure swift accountability when these standards are violated.

https://t.co/H3ips6mxRM

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

With advance voting now taking place across #Alberta ahead of the October 19 referendum, CMPAC is working with grassroots volunteers across the province to host educational sessions and training initiatives aimed at increasing civic awareness and democratic participation among Canadian Muslims.

Through these efforts, CMPAC is equipping community members with the knowledge and resources to understand the referendum questions, make informed decisions and exercise their democratic right to vote.

CMPAC remains committed to strengthening Muslim civic engagement, empowering communities to participate meaningfully in the democratic process, and contributing to a stronger Canada where all voices are heard and represented. #cdnpoli

https://t.co/bc1mbwzMj2

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

CMPAC congratulates Manitoba Premier @WabKinew and Minister @NellieNDP on the formal recognition of Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR) at the Manitoba Legislator. We commend this important and much-needed step toward acknowledging and addressing systemic discrimination against Palestinian communities and those advocating for Palestinian rights in Canada.

Manitoba’s recognition should be followed by concrete provincial measures to explicitly recognize and integrate anti-Palestinian racism (APR) within its anti-racism framework. This includes a rights-protective framework for identifying and addressing APR in consultation with Palestinian communities and anti-racism experts. The framework should inform data collection, training, grants, complaint mechanisms and policy review while protecting lawful political expression.

The House of Commons Justice Committee heard evidence of rising Islamophobia, anti-Arab discrimination and APR, including threats, harassment, workplace consequences and restrictions on civil liberties. Failure to properly address APR can render Palestinian experiences invisible in data, complaint systems, institutional training and policy evaluation, weakening prevention and accountability.

We encourage other provinces to follow Manitoba’s lead by formally recognizing APR and implementing corresponding measures within their respective anti-racism frameworks. #cdnpoli

Read more on APR in Canada in CMPAC’s 2026 Report Submission to the UN Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance:
https://t.co/XRVF4jqBPY

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

CMPAC welcomes the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group’s call for the Canadian government to accelerate sanctions against illegal Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territory.

We support MP @SalmaZahid15 and other parliamentarians’ efforts to translate Canada’s stated commitment to international law into concrete accountability measures. #cdnpoli

[Salma Zahid @SalmaZahid15]

As chair of the Canada-Palestine Parliamentary Friendship Group I, along with our vice-chairs, on behalf of our members, wrote to Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand regarding the ban on trade with illegal Israeli West Bank settlements...

[Canadian Muslim Public Affairs Council @CMPAConline]

Islamophobia continues to rise globally, Azerbaijan’s restrictions on hijab for women and girls in schools reflect a concerning trajectory of hate and discrimination against Muslims worldwide.

Canada’s response to rising Islamophobia must be grounded in a principled and consistent commitment to human rights and religious freedom. We call on Foreign Affairs Minister @AnitaAnandMP, to call out these Islamiphobic practices against women and girls highlighting the humanitarian principles that Canada represents.

Muslim women in Quebec face some of the challenges faced by Azerbaijan’s women. Therefore, a strong principled Canadian government reaction will not only have an impact internationally but will also echo in Canada.

https://t.co/3LsZHeya28