From: Colin 
To: INFO 
Subject: CRRF News Release / FCRR Communique
Date: Thu, 19 Aug 1999 11:09:01 -0400

				News Release

CRRF chair denounces "cowardly" attack on elderly Jewish men

Toronto, August 18, 1999  -  The vicious beating of two elderly Jewish men
in Toronto last Friday is a cowardly act that must be condemned by all
Canadians, says the Honourable Lincoln Alexander, chair of the Canadian
Race Relations Foundation.

"I am calling on all Canadians to speak out against this vicious attack and
to support the Jewish community," says Mr. Alexander, a former Lieutenant
Governor of Ontario. "We must not allow racists and hate groups to
intimidate any member of our society."

He adds that if the perpetrators are arrested, they should be prosecuted to 
the full extent of the law. "We need to get tough with racists and send them
a strong message that hate-motivated violence won't be tolerated in our society."
Mr. Alexander urged the federal government to proceed with a package of
amendments to the Criminal Code that would toughen Canada's hate crimes
laws. According to media reports, federal and provincial justice ministers
agreed to the changes during a meeting in Regina last fall.

The proposed changes include making possession of hate propaganda for the
purpose of distribution a crime, and giving the police the power to seize
computer hard drives containing hate propaganda. The package may also
include specific new penalties for the desecration of places of worship,
such as churches, synagogues and mosques.

"Our politicians and governments must play a leadership role in the fight
against racism," says Mr. Alexander. "Enacting these changes into law would
demonstrate that the federal government is serious about tackling hate."
The Canadian Race Relations Foundation (http://www.crr.ca) opened its doors
in November, 1997. It operates at arm's length from the federal government
and works at the forefront of efforts to combat racism and all forms of
racial discrimination in Canada.
- 30 -

Contact:	Colin Bhattacharjee
		Communications Officer
		Canadian Race Relations Foundation
		Phone:  (416) 952-8171

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