Just Peace Advocates has joined 250+ labour, civil liberties, faith, climate, migrant, refugee, human rights and community organizations across Canada to stand with international students from Portage College and defend migrants’ right to protest without fear.
The students were already protesting an injustice. They enrolled in programs that were eligible for post-graduation work permits. Newly uncovered government emails show that enrolled students had been told they would continue to receive them.
Then they were denied permits.
So they organized. In mid-July, they set up a round-the-clock protest.
On August 12, Calgary Police called the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to their protest. CBSA checked protesters’ immigration status. Ten people were issued removal orders that same day.
The students spoke out because they had been treated unfairly. They should have received justice. Instead, they faced immigration enforcement.
What happened in Calgary affects us all. Our movements include migrants.
Migrant workers must be able to walk a picket line. International students must be able to protest government policy. Refugees and undocumented people must be able to speak out and organize.
We are committing to stand with migrants when they speak out.
Along with 250+ organizations, we are making four demands:
- An independent investigation into the actions of Calgary Police and CBSA on August 12.
- Immediate suspension of the removal orders.
Clear public policies so that peaceful protest never leads to immigration enforcement, whatever a person’s status.
- A resolution for the Portage College students under the rules that applied when they enrolled.
Join us.
Individuals: sign the petition.
Organizations: add your name to the open letter.
Migrants: read and share the Know Your Rights guide.
Everyone: support the students’ legal fight.
The petition, open letter, and guide: MigrantRights.ca/RighttoProtest
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Through the Asper Foundation, large donations have been made to health care, arts, and community organizations in Canada including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, as well as organizations in Israel. With funds going to Israel to support war crimes and genocide and support for anti-Palestinian racism, these donations represent art-washing, health-washing, and community-washing.
Noted for his commitment to Winnipeg, Israel (Izzy) Asper launched the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in 2003 to fulfill his dream of learning for students about human rights.
As a life-long, public zionist, Israel Asper had very close ties to Israel and was supportive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2002, the Foundation co-sponsored multi-city Canadian speaking tour for Benjamin Netanyahu (then former PM) with the State of Israel Bonds and other Canadian groups.
The Asper Foundation has made significant gifts to pro-Israel organizations including $4 million to the Jewish National Fund, which has since been revoked by the CRA; over $23 million to the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg/Combined Jewish Appeal, over $2 million to the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, and another $2 million to the United Israel Appeal of Canada. Other gifts include donations to the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal, Birthright Israel – Canada, and B’nai Brith.
The Asper Foundation also founded the Israel Asper Community Action Center established in 2007, provides vocational training to youth, new immigrants and under-served populations. It is located in Ramot Alon, one of the large ring settlements of occupied East Jerusalem. The settlement is built on the Palestinian villages of Beit Iksa and Lifta. This violates Canadian public policy, Canadian law, and international law.
Further, these foundations have failed to file accurate annual reports. For example, multiple incorrectly reported the business number (BN) for recipient charities (in some cases nearly 50% of the time). In most cases the full BN was not provided, and only a portion of the full string was listed.
- In at least 80 cases, representing over $1.1 million, the Gail Asper Foundation listed no BN for recipient charities.
- In several cases, the BN and name provided by the Gail Asper Foundation did not match. For instance, a total of $100,180 was listed as going to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba but the BN listed is associated with the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal. In several instances, the name Dry Cold Production was listed as recipients, but three separate BN were listed. One BN was for Diabetes Canada ($15,000), another was for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre ($7,000).
- In over 100 cases, representing $136 million, the Asper Family Foundation listed no BN for recipient charities. This includes five donations in 2001 of $20M to $30 million each.
Ask the CRA to investigate!
Check out article from Investigative Journalism Foundation “Philanthropists critical of Nakba exhibit donated $4.8M to groups later sanctioned for funding illegal settlements, Israeli military”
Learn more at tr.ee/asper
Take Action
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For decades, Canadian charities have funnelled taxpayer-subsidized funds to Israel. Some send money directly to support State activities, including illegal settlements and military operations. Others give indirectly to pro-Israeli organizations that spread zionist propaganda and anti-Palestinian racism.
We call this the Canada-to-Israel Charity Pipeline, and we’re here to shut it down!
Join us for our third annual year of action!
From August 31 to September 12, our communities will directly confront complicit organizations, demanding they stop using charitable donations to fund genocide, apartheid, and the illegal occupation of Palestine.
Join the Action
Together, our communities will directly confront complicit organizations, demanding they stop using charitable donations to fund genocide, apartheid, and the illegal occupation of Palestine.
1. Choose a complicit organization in your area.
2. Plan an action that targets them.
This can be a phone or email blitz, a leaflet or poster campaign, social media posts, a rally, or any other creative idea!
3. Register an action
Let us know about it by filling out this form or by emailing us at info@justpeaceadvocates.ca” style=”color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;”>info@justpeaceadvocates.ca
We’re here to help you! If you’d like our assistance with any of these steps, including finding a complicit organization and brainstorming an action, shoot us a message at info@justpeaceadvocates.ca” style=”color: rgb(17, 85, 204) !important;”>info@justpeaceadvocates.ca
Read more >>
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Various ways to get involved
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A few of the focuses that various groups are considering include. You may want to consider these or other approaches.
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Christian Organizations
While Palestinian Christians continue to fight against the occupation of their lands and genocide of their people, Christians in Canada fund it. This is why it is important to expose Christian Zionism. Check out one example: International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ). Find out who is funding IFCJ and demand they end support for genocide.
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University Groups
Canadian universities have accepted funding from organizations that promote Zionism and fundraise for Israeli settler infrastructure and the Israeli military and donor families and individuals with ties to Israel’s Crimes. We identified $188.8 million worth of funding from 27 pro-Israel donors between 2000 and 2025.
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Boycott Indigo Books
Not sure where to start? An easy way to get involved is by targeting Indigo Books. Unfortunately, nearly every city in Canada has at least one Indigo Books stores. Its founder, Heather Reisman, and her husband, Gerald Schwartz ave founded multiple charities, most notably The Gerald Schwartz and Heather Reisman Foundation and the HESEG Foundation. Together, they assist non-Israeli’s in joining the Israeli military – all with tax subsidized dollars.
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Arts, Medical, and Education Orgs
The Azrieli Foundation’s support for various Canadian organizations, such as hospitals and arts performers, is simply an attempt at cultural ‘washing’ (e.g., artwashing, sportwashing, pinkwashing). Check out their full list of recipients to find a target.
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We thank our almost 70K subscribers, of which over 80% are from all across Canada, but also includes people from over 160 countries, on your continued solidarity and engagement.
We rely on your support, where possible so we can continue with our 1-2 person team to continue this urgent and critical work.
Donate to support Just Peace Advocates’ continued work.
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Solidarity sales: proceeds going to justice work for Palestine through Just Peace Advocates.
More from cold storage arrived this week so we should be stocked for the fall!
Delivered to you: anywhere in Canada, shipping included.
Price: $240 for a case of 8 packages of 900+g each (2lb).
Payment by E-Transfer: info@palestinejusttrade.ca
Complete the form and send your E-Transfer.
Tracking information is sent by Canada Post when product shipped (do check your spam and other folders).
Palestine Just Trade: Website
Contact: info@palestinejusttrade.ca
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