The Lawfare Project has teamed up with Re-Law LLP to submit an access to information and privacy request to find out why Canadian Heritage worked with Community Media Advocacy Centre (CMAC) consultant Laith Marouf despite him promoting antisemitism. .“The FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) request is an important step to find out how Canadian taxpayer money could have funded Jew-hatred,” said Lawfare Project founder and executive director Brooke Goldstein in a press release. .“It is unacceptable to say that this merely slipped through the cracks.”.Diversity and Inclusion Minister Ahmed Hussen said on August 22 the CMAC will no longer be working on an initiative for the Canadian government after it was discovered Marouf had made antisemitic remarks. .“The antisemitic comments made by Laith Marouf are reprehensible and vile,” said Hussen. .“We have provided notice to the CMAC that their funding has been cut and their project has been suspended.” .The Canadian government said it will take steps to prevent incidents such as this one from happening again. The release said the Lawfare Project is seeking to find out how this incident happened in the first place. .It went on to say the Lawfare Project has asked for copies of all communications between the Canadian government and the CMAC and Marouf. The ATIP request includes copies of all documents, including briefing notes, reports, and memos, relating to the CMAC. .“The government’s use of taxpayer funds in this instance is particularly concerning,” said Re-Law partner David Elmaleh. .“We are pleased to be assisting The Lawfare Project in its quest to bring these issues of vital public importance into the public domain.”.The release said the purpose of this ATIP request is to compel the Canadian government to disclose how they came to form this partnership, when they discovered Marouf’s antisemitic views, and why it was pointed out after funds were disbursed. .“Jewish Canadians should not have to worry about whether or not their taxpayer money is going directly to fund conspiracy theories,” said Goldstein.
