This Fasken Series brings notable guests to share their experiences and explore ideas around equity, diversity and inclusion in the legal industry and beyond.

Acts of violence, vandalism, threats, and ongoing antisemitic remarks continue to happen with alarming regularity against the Jewish community in Canada, the U.S. and across the globe. Statistics Canada data shows antisemitic acts currently represent the majority of religious hate crimes each year and have increased each year from 2019 to 2021. Why is this the case? What is driving the increase? What can we do to combat antisemitism?

We have invited The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper, 22nd Prime Minister of Canada and Honourable Irwin Cotler, Canada’s Special Envoy for Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Antisemitism, a professor and international human rights lawyer, to Fasken for a discussion. In conversation with Barbara Miller, Partner, Mr. Harper and Mr. Cotler will discuss:

• Why it is important to define antisemitism
• The role of the individual, business, and government in combating antisemitism
• Challenges and how to address antisemitism

The Right Honourable Stephen J. Harper served as Prime Minister of Canada from 2006 to 2015. Today, he is Chairman and CEO of Harper & Associates Consulting, a global strategic advisory firm, and Chairman of Vision One, a Miami-based investment fund.

The Honourable Irwin Cotler, is the International Chair of the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights, an Emeritus Professor of Law at McGill University, former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and longtime Member of Parliament, and an international human rights lawyer.

Please note that the session will be held in English. Live French translation will be available.