UBC among 4 Canadian universities facing class-action lawsuits for alleged antisemitic incidents

The University of British Columbia is the target of a proposed class action lawsuit claiming "a well-documented history of antisemitic sentiments" has existed on campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna for decades.

The University of British Columbia is the target of a proposed class action lawsuit claiming "a well-documented history of antisemitic sentiments" has existed on campuses in Vancouver and Kelowna for decades.

Documents filed in B.C. Supreme Court ask for $15 million in damages and allege UBC showed negligence by failing to address antisemitic incidents and hate speech. It also says UBC violated its own non-discrimination policies and gave staff insufficient training on handling harassment.

The Alma Mater Society of UBC, Students' Union Okanagan and the Graduate Students Society have also been named as defendants. None have filed a response and the allegations have not been tested in court.

The lawsuit comes amidst rising tensions on campuses over the war in Gaza that has killed thousands and the Oct. 7 surprise attack by Hamas that left 1,400 Israelis dead.

Law firm Diamond and Diamond launched the lawsuit against UBC and three similar suits in Ontario, naming York University, Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Queen's University.

"What we're suggesting in our lawsuits is that [the universities] fostered an environment where this type of hate speech has been encouraged and allowed, and there's been no consequences for it," said Diamond and Diamond managing partner Sandra Zisckind.

"We're not filing just to file. We're filing when we've seen a pattern and we've seen an environment that has been fostered by the universities ... and the current state just brought it to a new height," she said.