Official statement from Minister Jason Kenney's office

Official Statement from Jason Kenney’s office on the cancellation of his talk at York University during “Democracy Week”

“I won’t speculate on York’s motivation in quoting us a thousand-dollar security tab, let alone whether they apply that practice consistently to pro-Israeli Apartheid Week events on campus. What I do know is this: York University is ground zero for Israeli Apartheid Week activities; so much so, in fact, that at York they keep it going for two weeks.

Minister Kenney, as the cabinet minister responsible for anti-racism programs in the federal government, wanted to deliver a speech at York about anti-Semitism during Israeli Apartheid Week. He wanted to stand in solidarity with the silent majority on York’s campus who are disturbed by the climate of hatred, fear and bigotry Israeli Apartheid Week’s activities promote. The Minister’s office has never been quoted such a high security cost to deliver a speech before. York did this even though we assured them the RCMP was responsible for the safety and security of cabinet ministers, and would be on hand if the situation required.

We couldn’t in good conscience impose a thousand-dollar security bill on a few already-under-siege student groups. This, truly, is a very unfortunate situation, and a powerful reminder that Israeli Apartheid Week, rather than encouraging debate and free speech, actually suppresses them – at least, that is, if you happen not to believe that Israel is a Bantustan-promoting apartheid state.

Alykhan Velshi
Director of Communications and Parliamentary Affairs
Office of the Hon. Jason Kenney, PC, MP

Via Jay Currie