Marty York: Study finds most Canadians don’t want school board trustees who support political violence

Raise your hand if, like me, you’re on social media frequently enough to see enlightening, sensible messages that you, in contemporary terminology, endorse with a “like.” Now, raise your hand if, like me, you come across views that boggle your mind, are laden with bizarre support for antisemitism, extremism and/or political violence and you wish you could express your disapproval with something other than a “like.”

When I see egregious posts, I often shake my head in disbelief. Consider the case of Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board trustee Sabreina Dahab, who faced an investigation in 2023 over social media posts concerning Israel and Gaza. On Oct. 7, 2023, Dahab shared a post asking, “what did y’all think decolonization meant?” The following day, she wrote: “75 years of violent occupation and apartheid and the expectation is that Palestinians will be passive observers in their genocide?” The timing and language of these posts, immediately following Hamas’ October 7 attacks on Israel, prompted controversy over the messages being communicated by an elected school board trustee.

Dahab suggested the investigation was an attempt to silence her condemnation of Israel. After six months, the investigation was closed. She is still listed as a trustee for ward 2 of the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board.

I also lament the fact that individuals in positions of public trust can influence environments in which young people learn. Consider what happened in Toronto in 2021, when school board trustee Alexandra Lulka publicly raised concerns about educational materials circulated to teachers that contained antisemitic content and promoted terrorism. The Integrity Commissioner subsequently confirmed those concerns were valid, but nevertheless recommended censuring Lulka anyway, because her statement had failed to acknowledge “positive elements” in the materials. The episode raises troubling questions about how school boards recognize and respond to anti-Jewish hatred.

And most Ontario citizens don’t appear to like it. A poll conducted by Leger for HR Canada Charitable Organization (HRCCO) late last month asked 1,516 Canadians: “Should a person be allowed to run for school board trustee if they have publicly expressed support for antisemitism, extremist views or political violence?” While 68 per cent responded that the school board trustee should not be able to run after doing so, only 10 per cent said they should. Another 14 per cent said it would depend on circumstances, and eight per cent said they were uncertain.

Those who oppose allowing individuals with such backgrounds represent more than two-thirds of the province’s population. They do not want to see Canadian students at schools where these individuals are calling shots on curricula, policies and programs.

“Studies and statistics have shown time and again that antisemitism is rising at an alarming rate,” Amanda Eskenasi, director of education for HRCCO, told me in an interview. “School board trustees occupy an important position within Ontario’s education system. The trustees collectively allocate resources and oversee the administration responsible for implementing those policies. Their decisions can have significant influence over the institutional culture experienced by students across an entire school board.”

Women participating in the poll were conspicuously opposed to individuals being allowed to run as school trustees if they have records of public opinions supporting antisemitism, extremism or political violence. A total of 73 per cent of the women opposed eligibility, compared with 62 per cent of men. Also, 76 per cent of respondents aged 55 and older opposed eligibility, compared with 62 per cent of those under 55. White participants in the poll showed a 71 per cent opposition to eligibility, while 58 per cent of BIPOC — Black, Indigenous and other people of colour — also opposed eligibility.

Despite repeated comments from Prime Minister Mark Carney and other Canadian leaders that plans are in place to combat hate of all forms in this country, antisemitism has been growing at alarming rates and is rampant in many schools. A 2025 study examining antisemitism from kindergarten to Grade 12 in Ontario schools, discovered more than 780 incidents. The report found — and I find this especially sickening — that many Jewish students altered their conduct and hid their Jewish identities for fear of being bullied or ostracized.

Ontario is a cesspit of antisemitism. No province has as many hate incidents as in Ontario. No city has as much antisemitism as Toronto, which is all the more reason to ensure school boards draw a firm line against accepting trustees who publicly express egregious statements that support antisemitism, extremist views or political violence.

“The results of this new survey suggest that Canadians overwhelmingly believe that those running for positions of public trust ought to be worthy of it,” Eskenasi said. “At a time when Jewish students are already facing antisemitism in their schools, it is reasonable to expect those entrusted with governing these institutions to demonstrate a clear commitment to ensuring that every student is safe, respected and protected from hate.”

To view a complete analysis of the Leger poll results, the role of school board trustees and a full rundown of the vile antisemitism in Ontario schools, check out this thorough report.

National Post