Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek will not attend tonight’s annual community menorah lighting at City Hall after saying the event had shifted toward a more political nature.
“It has come to my attention late in the day that tomorrow’s community menorah lighting event — something I have looked forward to attending over the years — has been repositioned as an event to support Israel,” read a statement from Gondek posted to X.
Gondek said that when she asked to speak at the event weeks ago, it was to bring traditional Hannukah greetings to Calgary’s Jewish community.
“This last minute change goes against the original intention, and has left me feeling let down by leadership,” reads the statement.
As mayor, Gondek added her goal is to celebrate common bonds in the city, and engage in an interfaith manner.
“The changed nature of tomorrow’s event creates a divide and forces people to choose a side.”
1/2 On the eve of a beloved Calgary tradition, the annual menorah lighting at City Hall, I have learned that the event has been repositioned to be political. This breaks my heart.<br><br>It is with great regret and sadness that I will not be attending. My statement is posted here. <a href=”https://t.co/ttx8E7LQII”>pic.twitter.com/ttx8E7LQII</a>
The community Menorah lighting has been organized by Chabad Lubavitch Alberta for 35 years.
A release sent by the organization on Dec. 5 outlines that the theme for this year’s festivities is “unity, supporting Israel, and demonstrating Jewish pride.”
Chabad Lubavitch Alberta’s senior Rabbi Menachem Matusof told CBC News the event would function as both a celebration and a demonstration in support for Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
“Unfortunately due to what’s going on today, we had to put a program together that speaks to the current events,” said Matusof.
“This is celebrating Hanukkah, obviously. At the same time, this is a peaceful demonstration for celebrating light over darkness … demonstrating Jewish pride and demonstrating support for Israel.”
Matusof said that while the event will include elements of fun for children and adults alike, such as music and dancing, that there will also be solemn moments for prayer and songs of encouragement for both the local community and people in Israel.
“It’s impossible to win a war, so to speak, by having our heads down and we’re not [going] to let evil and negativity take over the world.”
Matusof said that his organization worked with city officials and the Calgary police to enhance security measures for the event. He added that all Calgarians are welcome to attend.
The Calgary Jewish Federation said in an email to its community members that it’s hurt and disappointed by the decision.
“As always, and particularly at this time, our community does not waver in our support of Israel, nor will our community forget that 140 Israeli hostages still remain in captivity,” the statement said.
“Our yearning for peace in Israel and Gaza does not run counter to our support of (the land of) Israel, but rather are inextricably linked.”
The nine Conservative MPs for Calgary issued a joint statement saying they are “deeply troubled” by Gondek’s decision not to attend the menorah lighting.
“Her decision to withdraw could dangerously normalize antisemitism at a time when, across campuses and communities, Jewish Canadians are already feeling threatened,” said the statement, which was posted on X.
“We strongly urge the mayor to stand with Calgary’s Jewish community and reconsider her message regarding the City Hall menorah lighting and decision to withdraw out of deep concern for our shared constituents.”
Calgary mayor opts out of annual menorah lighting
Calgary Mayor Jyoti Gondek has pulled out of the city’s annual menorah lighting ceremony, saying the event’s emphasis on support for Israel made it focus on politics rather than faith.
Lori Williams, an associate professor of policy studies at Mount Royal University, said it’s unfortunate the mayor’s decision not to attend the event has become politicized, particularly since that’s what she was trying to avoid.
“Unfortunately, rather than it simply being a celebration of the Jewish community in Calgary, some have said that this is going to be an event that expresses support for Israel and forces people essentially to choose a side,” Williams told CBC News.
“I think what the mayor is trying to do, and I think what many Calgarians and people around the world are trying to do, is to stand in support of the people that are being unjustly harmed.… I think what’s happening here is that many people want to be able to speak in support of Jewish and Palestinian folks without taking a side with respect to what the Israeli government is doing or what Hamas is doing and has done.”
During Hamas’s attack on Israel more than eight weeks ago, about 1,200 people, including several Canadians, were killed and 240 were taken hostage, Israel says.
In Gaza, which has been ruled by Hamas since 2007, Palestinian health authorities deemed reliable by the United Nations estimate that more than 15,900 people have been killed, and thousands more are feared buried under rubble as a result of Israel’s response.
FREDERICTON – A look at David Coon, leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick:
Born: Oct. 28, 1956.
Early years: Born in Toronto and raised in Montreal, he spent about three decades as an environmental advocate.
Education: A trained biologist, he graduated with a bachelor of science from McGill University in Montreal in 1978.
Family: He and his wife Janice Harvey have two daughters, Caroline and Laura.
Before politics: Worked as an environmental educator, organizer, activist and manager for 33 years, mainly with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Politics: Joined the Green Party of Canada in May 2006 and was elected leader of the New Brunswick Green Party in September 2012. Won a seat in the legislature in 2014 — a first for the province’s Greens.
Quote: “It was despicable. He’s clearly decided to take the low road in this campaign, to adopt some Trump-lite fearmongering.” — David Coon on Sept. 12, 2024, reacting to Blaine Higgs’s claim that the federal government had decided to send 4,600 asylum seekers to New Brunswick.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
FREDERICTON – A look at Blaine Higgs, leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of New Brunswick.
Born: March 1, 1954.
Early years: The son of a customs officer, he grew up in Forest City, N.B., near the Canada-U.S. border.
Education: Graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a degree in mechanical engineering in 1977.
Family: Married his high-school sweetheart, Marcia, and settled in Saint John, N.B., where they had four daughters: Lindsey, Laura, Sarah and Rachel.
Before politics: Hired by Irving Oil a week after he graduated from university and was eventually promoted to director of distribution. Worked for 33 years at the company.
Politics: Elected to the legislature in 2010 and later served as finance minister under former Progressive Conservative Premier David Alward. Elected Tory leader in 2016 and has been premier since 2018.
Quote: “I’ve always felt parents should play the main role in raising children. No one is denying gender diversity is real. But we need to figure out how to manage it.” — Blaine Higgs in a year-end interview in 2023, explaining changes to school policies about gender identity.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
OTTAWA – The pressing issues of climate change and food security join more familiar ones like violent extremism and espionage on a new list of Canada’s intelligence priorities.
The federal government says publishing the list of priorities for the first time is an important step toward greater transparency.
The government revises the priorities every two years, based on recommendations from the national security adviser and the intelligence community.
Once the priorities are reviewed and approved by the federal cabinet, key ministers issue directives to federal agencies that produce intelligence.
Among the priorities are the security of global health, food, water and biodiversity, as well as the issues of climate change and global sustainability.
The new list also includes foreign interference and malign influence, cyberthreats, infrastructure security, Arctic sovereignty, border integrity and transnational organized crime.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 19, 2024.
