Asher Honickman

This is what happens when outlets wait years to cover these groups. And of course, by ignoring these groups since October 7, they've been operating in a serious knowledge deficit when it comes to the bigger picture.

Many are highlighting the tactical blunder in Ford waiting to the last minute. But the larger strategic blunder (assuming it was unintentional) was moving for an injunction at all, rather than just using existing laws or enacting a new law. Injunctions are by their nature extraordinary relief and require a strong evidentiary record. The necessary implication is that you're seeking to deprive another party of something they would otherwise be entitled to do. It makes little strategic sense to assume this burden when you're taking the position that this is an unlawful assembly and have other legal means at your disposal. Those who wanted Al Quds to go ahead could of course have brought their own injunction - but then they, not the government, would have been saddled with the high legal and evidentiary threshold.

I am extremely disappointed that the court has refused to put a stop to Al-Quds Day, which has long been a venue for antisemitism, hatred, intimidation and the glorification of terrorism. While the judge cited Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms, when we talk about rights we need to be clear that every person has the right to safety and security. We need to be clear that no one in Canada has the right to incite violence or free licence to intimidate and hate. The judge also said that Toronto Police Service do not need an injunction to preserve the peace. That's unbelievable! If that's the case, I fully expect that the police will immediately intervene at the first sign of hate, violence or glorification of terrorist organizations. I won't stop working to put an end to the hatred and division that runs too rampant on Canada's streets. I won't stop working to protect the greatest province in the greatest country in the world.

This afternoon, I’ve instructed my Attorney General to pursue an injunction against the Al-Quds Day demonstration planned for Toronto. Hate, violence and intimidation have no place on the streets of Canada and our government will fight it however we can.

Canada should not be supporting flagrant violations of international law. This statement would be fine if second last paragraph was deleted. I guess this is Carney’s view of realpolitik.