Toronto Zaps for Palestine (Contacts & Talking Po…
GTA Zaps for Palestine
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Table of Contents: (click to jump)
2. Representatives Contact Information
3. Federal Cabinet Ministers Contact Information
5. Easy Emailers, Petitions and other Campaigns
Areas of focus for April 20, 2026 **sign up for our weekly email to receive priority actions every Sunday - write to us to sign up gtaphonezaps@gmail.com **:
April 20th Highlighted Actions of the Week:
Last Week’s Recommended Actions (in case you missed them):
Contact info: Global Affairs Canada info@international.gc.ca, voicemail 1-800-267-8376; Canada’s Ambassador to the UN canada.un@international.gc.ca, Telephone 212-848-1100, Fax: 212-848-1195; & UN General Assembly (UNGA Office of the President pga65@un.org)
Contact your MP, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and PM Carney with this message:
Suggested script: I am reaching out to urge that PM Carney publicly declare that we will impose economic sanctions on any person or entity involved in the expansion of the so-called E1 settlements by “israel,” a move that would “bury the idea of a Palestinian state,” in the words of “israeli” officials themselves. The Fourth Geneva Convention makes clear that an occupying power should not alter the character of occupied territory or transfer its population into it. In clear violation of international law, “israel” intends to award construction contracts in early July of this year. The expansion of E1 would further fragment the territory into disconnected enclaves, which will permanently stifle Palestinian self-determination and likely ignite further political violence across the Middle East.
Background info: This Bill passed last week in Parliament. Now that the Bill has passed the House of Commons, it moves to the Senate. Senators will have an opportunity to properly review and debate the bill, bringing in expert witnesses. We need the Senate to have a full hearing on C-9 so that they can understand its full implications. Use this email tool or send your own message to Senate to express your concerns.
“israeli” lobby groups pushed Bill C-9, which seeks to conflate anti-semitism with criticism of Israel. The Bill represses the Palestine solidarity movement and criminalize protest, such as restricting the ability of Canadians to confront Israeli war criminals on Canadian soil or expose the use of Jewish communal institutions as venues for illegal land sales. Bill C-9 would criminalize protest with up to 10 years in prison if protestors are accused of having intent to "invoke fear" when protesting outside a long list of protected buildings.
Suggested script: I would like to express my alarm and disapproval of the so-called Combatting Hate Act (Bill C-9), which threatens the Charter rights and civil liberties of all people in Canada, especially communities who are already marginalized and face disproportionate criminalization. Bill C-9 underwent minimal changes to address the deep problems with this piece of legislation.
This Bill allows for the criminalization of symbols belonging to certain groups deemed “terrorist entities,” but the listing of “terrorist entities” is a process that is secretive, politicized, discretionary and violates due process. It has been used to target groups that have fought for rights of self-determination and against occupation, all while Canadian governments have failed to act against the much more prevalent and deadly violence enacted by states, such as Israel.
This Bill gives police the ability to decide which symbols are associated with so called “terrorist entities." This grants enormous discretionary power to police. Already, political and cultural symbols associated with Palestinian culture and human rights, including the keffiyeh, have illegitimately been associated with terrorist entities or hate. These new provisions would be a license for police to detain people first, and ask questions later, during protests and other gatherings, further undermining freedom of assembly and free expression.
New offenses in Bill C-9 regarding protest near certain buildings, such as places of worship, community centres, etc., raise similar concerns. The Criminal Code already allows for police to act on the basis of mischief, intimidation, harassment, or threats. As we have seen across the country, especially in regards to protests in support of Palestinian rights, police have more than enough powers to disrupt protests on a wide range of grounds, and in fact have often engaged in over-enforcement, demonstrated by the many criminal charges that have been dropped, as well as the violent dismantling of peaceful encampments.
Moreover, the broad wording in Bill C-9 would empower police to take discretionary action based on how they interpret the protesters' intent, not their actions, which will lead to more arbitrary arrests and disruptions of peaceful assemblies, potentially including workers picketing. We know exactly who will pay the price: Indigenous, Black, racialized, faith and rights-deserving communities who have historically been over-policed and disproportionately punished. Research from the University of Toronto shows that Black people, particularly Black men, are routinely perceived as more threatening, even when doing nothing. Under Bill C-9, these racist perceptions become the legal test.
The proposed new offences would carry significant penalties, including the threat of jail time, and will result in people who would ordinarily take action to speak out on important social issues refraining from doing so under the fear of being trapped in the dragnet of additional, unclear and broad discretionary powers.
For all these reasons, I believe Bill C-9 should not proceed through parliament, and ask that you vote "no" at third reading. Instead, the government and parliamentarians should favour approaches that both protect vulnerable communities and ensure the protection of Charter rights and civil liberties in Canada.
I would appreciate a response to these concerns as soon as possible.
Bill C-9 auto-email tools:
b) NO MORE LOOPHOLES - updated March 16, 2026
Suggested script: I am a constituent of __________. I am aware that you voted ________________ (for/against) the No More Loopholes motion, Bill C-233. This Bill would have closed the loophole through which over a billion dollars of military goods are sent each year to the US, without any assessment of whether those goods will be used to commit human rights abuses. The US is using those military goods to facilitate crimes against humanity across the globe (such as the genocide being committed by Israel), to attack sovereign nations (Iran, Venezuela, Nigeria, to name a few) and also to terrorize its own citizens (for example with dozens of armoured vehicles sent from Brampton-based manufacturer Roshel). The US is also threatening to annex Greenland, which belongs to a NATO ally, and even to annex Canada! They could invade Canada using our own weapons and components. We are also exposing ourselves to liability for breaches of international law, such as the Arms Trade Treaty (ATT), by giving a free flow of deadly weaponry to the US while it commits and facilitates human rights abuses in its own country and abroad.
MPs voted down this legislation, all while Israel continues to commit atrocities in Gaza and in the West Bank, and while the US continues their crimes against civilian populations domestically and abroad. Regardless of the outcome of this vote, I demand that you do everything in your power to force Israel to stop its ongoing genocide, including sanctions, divestment, and all other concrete measures available to Canada. The fight is not over. I will continue to demand action from this government, like many other Canadians like myself who are deeply committed to ensuring justice for Palestinians and for all those impacted by the colonial aggressions of the US and Israel.
Other script points re Arms Embargo (optional):
Currently, Canada’s arms export laws currently give the United States a “free pass” from any risk assessments and regulation. Canadian-made weapons and parts can be exported there without export permits or human rights review. But many of these parts, such as F-35 fighter jet components, are then shipped onward to countries like Israel. This means Canada is leaving oversight up to the discretion of U.S. officials, with no Canadian review of the end use. Canada cannot outsource its human rights responsibilities to another country.
Since the so-called “ceasefire” was announced, Israel has continued their atrocities with impunity. The scale of civilian death and civilian suffering in Gaza is unimaginable, and this is the direct result of Israel’s policies. Direct violent deaths in Gaza are estimated to be between 64,600 and 96,100, and total loss of life between 120,000-595,800, due to Israel’s systematic destruction of social and health infrastructure (housing, hospitals, etc.) and denial of life-saving humanitarian aid.[1] Israel continues to restrict humanitarian aid into Gaza, by denying access to UN officials, journalists and humanitarian convoys. There are now 70,000 Gazans who are infected with hepatitis C and require urgent evacuation for treatment - Israel’s intentionally inflicted “humanitarian catastrophe” continues. Illegal occupation and settler violence continues in the West Bank - just this weekend over 71 people were abducted as the IDF continues to issue record high demolition orders and threatening expulsion of Palestinians. What is Canada doing to uphold international law, to address Israel’s “ceasefire” violations and ongoing crimes?
Canada was specifically named in a new UN report as a “Third State” that is complicit in the genocide in Gaza. The report names Canada as one of the 19 states engaging in indirect transfers for weapon components used in Israel for facilitation of war crimes.
Despite the Canadian government’s promises to stop arming the assault on Gaza, Canada continues to send Israel weapons. Increasingly, this is happening via a major loophole in Canadian law allowing Canadian weapons parts to get to Israel through the US without having to get a permit or be regulated.
That’s why I was so pleased to learn that MP Jenny Kwan introduced the private members bill- The No More Loopholes Act (formally called C-233). The bill would bring Canada’s laws in line with the global Arms Trade Treaty and ensure Canadian exports are not complicit in genocide or other war crimes. It’s been horrifying to witness Canada continuing to allow the export of military goods to a state that has slaughtered tens of thousands of civilians over the last two years.
The fight is not over, we as Canadians continue to have an obligation to end our complicity in Israel’s genocide, and to close the loophole allowing a free flow of goods to the US, as it commits human rights abuses at home and across the globe.
Please call me back at [###]. I look forward to discussing this with you. Thank you.
Another semester has started and still over 130 Palestinian students accepted to Canadian universities have not received their visas to come here. The unreasonable visa delays put these student’s acceptance in jeopardy as they will have to defer their studies again -Please use This auto-emailer provided by PSSAR, as well as this script to urge your MP and Immigration Minister Lena Diab to take immediate action to support Palestinian students who have been admitted to Canadian universities and are trapped in Gaza.
Learn more about Palestinian Students and Scholars at Risk here and https://pssar.ca/.
See here a list of Senators - consider focusing on those who have not yet endorsed arms embargo.
Suggested script for contacting senators. As always, please personalize your message.
Thank you to Ottawawest Nepean for Palestine for these resources!
STEP 1: Get a pot and something to bang it with
STEP 2: Make your calls and when prompted to leave your message move on to step 3.
STEP 3: Bang your pot while chanting: “ARMS EMBARGO NOW! SANCTIONS NOW! FREE PALESTINE NOW!” (or whatever demand you want to chant)
Tips for zapping:
-most calls go to voicemail, but occasionally you may get a live person answer your call
-keep voicemail messages short - you may get cut off after a few minutes
-only share personal information if you feel comfortable - usually just your name and first three digits of your postal code
-if you get a live person, tell them you have a message for the MP, and ask them to take down notes to accurately relay your message. Speak slowly, and pause between sentences. Ask them to read back to you what they understood from your message
News and Updates:
The 10-day ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, which took effect on April 17 has been described as fragile. To say this is to repeat ourselves from every previous ceasefire announcement we’ve ever made. Much like our political leaders who continue to cautiously say the easy parts out loud. Simply hoping that this agreement will lead to further de-escalation is weak and detached. Humanitarian crises do not get resolved with hopes and crossed fingers. The war criminals and the systems that protect them must be targeted. Let’s renew our commitment to raising our voices collectively– remind our representatives and those seeking power that hoping for peace, not acting for peace, reveals weakness and disconnect from the violence and suffering we witness, we feel, and that we want stopped. This approach shows any elected hopeful the will and power of the people is growing and will strengthen and they will need to walk with us or step aside. Because when a Canadian citizen, Mohamad Hassan Haider, is killed trying to help another martyr and the best Anita Anand, Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, can do is offer condolences, consular assistance, and ask Israel to stop attacking we know they are not actors for peace. This is a status quo statement that fails to seriously consider and act to impose sanctions, to investigate and prosecute war crimes committed by Israeli soldiers in Canada, and to stop arming Israel.
CJPME (Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East) has reported, based on a new Léger Poll, Canadians are rejecting Israel’s actions and support Palestinian rights. 76% of Canadians agree that Palestinians have the right to a homeland to live freely and safely, 52% believe Israel makes no effort to live peacefully with its neighbours. This poll also reveals favourability among Canadians towards Israel has dropped 11% since 2023.
And while headlines change circumstances have not. Gaza and the West Bank are still enduring attacks. Less than a month ago the Israeli Knesset passed the death by hanging law specifically targeting Palestinians. Another clear example of apartheid, a violation of human rights including the right to life, and an act to further dehumanize Palestinians.
We also want to recognize, April 17, the national and international solidarity day dedicated to acknowledging the plight of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons. Ten thousand Palestinians in Israeli custody and thousands more in administrative detention including children are being tortured, starved, degraded, and denied medical care daily. The need to advocate and demand intervention could not be more urgent. We also want to note in April 1936 to ‘39 The Great Arab Revolt of Palestine, an uprising against the British and Zionist occupation forces happened. The organized resistance included protests and strikes mobilizing every sector of the population. The British and Zionist response was to use brutal force and repression– killing, imprisoning, and exiling over 10% of the male population. A decade before the Nakba of 1948, we see the roots of a barbaric Zionist legal system planted in British colonial mandates.
We have a number of actions we want you to know about so you feel empowered to continue standing up for our collective humanity. Make sure to take a look at our weekly solidarity email that gets sent on Sundays. Everything you need to take action is available there and if you don’t already get our weekly emails let us know you want them by sending us a message or registering for these weekly Monday zaps.
Use this spreadsheet to find your Member of Parliament: https://tinyurl.com/3pjw62yj
Or you can find them here: Find Members of Parliament
Some MPs are dodging voicemails - press any number after your message, to ensure your voicemail is sent
You can decide whether you want to fax Hill or constituent offices; either way, there is to be no business as usual! Either copy and paste the script into the cover page for the fax, or attach it is a file + attach anything else you want to!
**Other Member of Parliament:
Find the fax numbers for your Member of Parliament here: www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en
ii) Thank CBC for good coverage on this - it is generating significant blowback by groups like CIJA and HonestReporting Canada who are upset about how CBC lifts the veil on Canadian charities complicit in apartheid. Send a letter to CBC here!
https://www.luminatofestival.com/2025-festival-survey
TORONTO PRIDE EMAIL TEMPLATES
For Queer Identities to send:
Letter to PrideTO_ for Queer Identities.docx
For Allies to send:
Letter to PrideTO_ for Allies.docx
CANADA - ALL PRIDES - EMAIL TEMPLATES
For Queer Identities to send:
Letter to Canada Prides_ for Queer Identities.docx
For Allies to send:
Letter to Canada Prides_ for Allies.docx
Supposed Social Justice Oriented Big Carrot continues to sell Israeli medjoul
Letter you can give to or contact the manager of YOUR grocery store if you find Israeli products on their shelves: Dear Store Manager/Owner
Please sign the petition and sign up to stay connected on updates to the campaign.
Add your name to this petition:
#MaskOffMaersk Cut Ties With Genocide! - Action Network
Use this email template to share the petition with your circle:
Friend,
I signed a petition on Action Network telling CEO, vincent.clerc@maersk.com, vincent_clerc@hotmail.com, Chair of Board of Directors, robert.uggla@apmoller.com, robert.uggla@maersk.com, CFO, patrick.jany@clariant.com, albatas2@bluewin.ch to #MaskOffMaersk Cut Ties With Genocide!.
Join the Palestinian Youth Movement in its campaign to demand that Maersk Cut Ties with Genocide! Maersk is one of the most profitable companies on earth, directly facilitating and profiting off of the weapons trade. We demand Maersk cut ties with Israel and end its complicity in the genocide of Palestinians.
Can you join me and take action? Click here: https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/maskoffmaersk-cut-ties-with-genocide?source=email&
Thanks!
This action by Just Peace Advocates has already garnered support from over 20,000 Canadians, calling on CRA to revoke the charitable status of zionist organizations. Add your voice here:
ACTION: No tax breaks for war crimes in Palestine!
This Petition is initiated by Just Peace Advocates and Writers Against the War on Gaza (WAWOG): “HonestReporting Canada is a charity that promotes anti-Palestinian racism, spreads misinformation, and leads doxing and harassment campaigns against journalists, media outlets, and other individuals. These “charitable activities” are actively being subsidized by Canadian tax dollars.” Click here to sign the petition
United Israel Appeal of Canada is a registered charity that has raised over $1.5 billion dollars since 1991. UIA funds groups assisting the Israeli military and illegal settlements. Last week, a detailed complaint was sent to Canada Revenue Agency regarding UIA’s charitable status. Write CRA to ask them to investigate: Stop $1.5 billion to criminal state: CRA must investigate United Israel Appeal of Canada - Action Network
A public letter was submitted on June 4 calling on the federal government to end Canadian subsidies to 200+ registered Canadian charities who funnel a quarter billion dollars annually to projects in Israel, many of them financing projects that support the Israeli military, racist organizations and West Bank settlements in contravention of Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) rules. Send your letter of support here: Not one cent of Canadian tax-dollars should be funding genocide - Action Network
IVJ member Dr. Miles Howe has uncovered a network of Canadian charities that are funneling funds to some of the most violent, even genocidal organizations in Israel. Read his report here and write your own letter to the CRA here
Send a letter to the Canada Revenue Agency thanking them for revoking the Jewish National Fund of Canada‘s charitable status - The Jewish National Fund has had their charitable status revoked by CRA due to the fact that they directly fund a foreign military (the IDF). The JNF is also heavily involved in land grabs in occupied Palestine. Up to 25% of JNF’s budget was funded by Canadian taxpayers through tax credits provided for donations, so a potential significant drop in donations because of this decision would have a great impact on their ability to support the occupation and land theft. Write to the CRA to thank them for this action.
5. Getting in Touch with Toronto Riding Organizers
Please see all Toronto riding Instagram accounts at www.instagram.com/toronto4directory.
GTA Events Calendar (Greater “Toronto” area and virtual events) GTA EVENTS FOR PALESTINE - Greater “Toronto” Area + Virtual
The Palestine Calendar (“Vancouver” and surrounding cities as well as virtual events)
PALESTINE CALENDAR (“Vancouver” and Surrounding Area + Virtual)
Demonstration/Protest Listings (Globally) https://samidoun.net/2025/03/calendar-of-resistance-for-palestine-events-actions-and-demonstrations-for-liberation-against-genocide/