Jewish teachers file human rights complaints against OCDSB, three other Ontario school boards and two unions

Twelve Jewish teachers and educators filed human rights applications Thursday with the Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario, naming the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board along with the Toronto District School Board, York Region District School Board, and Simcoe County District School Board, as well as the Elementary Teachers' Federation of Ontario and the Ontario Secondary School Teachers' Federation.

The applicants allege the institutions failed to act when discrimination was reported and in some cases penalized them for reporting mistreatment. Each applicant is seeking $150,000 in general damages for discrimination based on ethnicity and compensation for psychological counselling. They are also asking the tribunal to order the respondents to develop "transparent and enforceable policies" to combat systemic antisemitism, with input from the Jewish community.

"For too long, Jewish teachers in Ontario have gone to work facing antisemitism, and when they asked their school boards and unions for help, they were ignored and in some cases faced reprisal," said Kathryn Marshall, who is representing the applicants through Marshall Law. "These educators are standing up today because they refuse to stay silent any longer. The institutions responsible for protecting them must be held accountable."

Michelle Outmezguine, an educator and ETFO member among the applicants, said: "It is a double standard and it is unacceptable" regarding how unions and school boards have silenced and disciplined Jewish educators.

The Toronto District School Board said it will respond to the specific allegations through the tribunal process and that it has "thoroughly" investigated and addressed all reports of antisemitism and other forms of hate. "Antisemitism has no place in our communities or schools. The Board has and will continue to work with community groups and agencies to combat antisemitism and to foster inclusive schools and workplaces where students and staff feel safe and welcome," the board said in a statement.

The ETFO declined to comment on legal matters. York Region District School Board will not comment on the complaints "to preserve the integrity of these proceedings" but said it is "committed to creating and sustaining safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning and working spaces for all students and staff."