Canadian Jewish Groups Stress There is No “jewish Vote” in Elections

In anticipation of the forthcoming national elections, the National Joint Public Relations Committee of the Canadian Jewish Congress and B’nal B’rith has released a statement rejecting political appeals by any candidate on racial or religious grounds. Distributed to the press and to all candidates for public office who are Jews, the policy declaration reads:

“The Canadian Jewish Congress is of the opinion that Jewish citizens of this community participate in municipal, provincial and national elections as citizens of Canada, sharing with citizens of all other faiths and origins a common interest in the proper and efficient administration of our country’s affairs. It consequently rejects on principle any political appeal directed by a candidate based on racial or religious grounds, designed to give the impression that there is a bloc such as ‘the Jewish vote’ or any other type of ethnic or religious grouping of the electorate, and which is aimed at attracting votes by favoring or discriminating against any group in the electorate.”