The results are in, and Canadians have unabashedly voted for Justin Trudeau’s Liberal Party to lead the Canadian government, with the party winning a whopping 184 seats, while the Conservatives and NDP took 99 and 44 seats, respectively.
Jewish groups, including Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), said they were looking forward to working together with the new prime minister.
“We are grateful for the positions Mr. Trudeau and his party have taken on a number of issues, including support for hate crimes legislation; sanctions against Iran; a range of social justice challenges; and a close Canada-Israel relationship – to name only a few,” CIJA head David J. Cape told The CJN.
“We look forward to working with Prime Minister-elect Trudeau and his cabinet, along with the opposition parties, on the range of public policy issues of importance to the Jewish community and indeed all Canadians.”
The 42nd Canadian federal election campaign, the longest in modern Canadian history, was one filled with scandals and heated debates over foreign and domestic policy issues. The Jewish community in particular was divided, with a The CJN poll indicating that 44 per cent of readers were planning on voting Conservative, while 40 per cent were voting Liberal. Throughout the election, major party leaders continued to express their support for Israel, as they did during interviews with The CJN (click here for Harper, here for Trudeau, here for Mulcair, here for May).
Now that it’s all said and done, however, many have – naturally – gone to Twitter to share their thoughts on the results, and where they stand, politically.
Similar to our poll, it seems the community continues to remain divided on Harper, at least for now. Users cited a variety of reasons as why they voted either for or against him, including the controversial Bill C-51, his staunch support of Israel, and other issues.
Of course, known as Israel’s “best friend,” several pro-Israel advocates were sad to see Harper go.
@IsraeliPM As a Canadian Jew I am praying that Mr. Harper,the best friend that Israel has,wins on Monday.The polls do not look good.
— Gary (@johnseth40) October 18, 2015
So sad.. Harper was a conservative and best friend to Israel! That was a bad loss. https://t.co/xKAwKyivmx
— Todd Anderson (@andersonranchtx) October 20, 2015
#cdnpoli Netenyahu will b sad Harper leaving, but then he will remember when Harper sang in Israel and b glad hes gone
— Michael Thomson (@Michaelt629) October 20, 2015
Proud that my Jewish Canadian community rejected fear & division and that Canadians & Quebecers embrace our muslim neighbours. #Elxn42
— E. Richard Gold (@IP_policy) October 20, 2015
We thank @pmharper for the deep and sustained support he has provided to Canada’s Jewish community & #Israel over the past 9 years #elxn42
— CIJA (@CIJAinfo) October 20, 2015
#ThankYouStephenHarper for always thinking about the Jewish people
— Chana Chabad (@chanachabad) October 20, 2015
Canada! We hope you’re voting out Harper today: #BillC51 makes Jewish people second-class citizens http://t.co/wQSN18S18A #CitizenRadio
— Citizen Radio (@CitizenRadio) October 19, 2015
#Tories, #Israel and Chutzpah: Why Stephen #Harper does not represent Jewish values: https://t.co/cljgrJj974 #elxn42 #stopharper — segacs (@segacs) October 19, 2015
@FoxVegas @islandgirljams @Ziamp I just couldn’t stand Harper and his campaign on Muslims! I’m Jewish… I figured we’d be next!
— mmadamimadamm (@mmadamimadamm) October 20, 2015
Why is the Jewish vote going conservative in Mount Royal? Don’t they know that Harper changed the law to make them 2nd class citizens?
— Jonathan Lahue⚡ (@JCLaHoot) October 20, 2015
#canadavotes God bless Harper a true defender of the Jewish people you will be missed. Canadians you will be sorry to let such a leader go!
— rabbiori (@rabbiori) October 20, 2015
So sorry to see Stephen Harper, principled supporter of Israel out of office. Canada will be the poorer for it. https://t.co/epgY0GqsVV — Fran at AFI (@FranatAFI) October 20, 2015
@SueAnnLevy got a feeling that anti-Semitism will rise once Harper leaves office. What does Toronto’s Jewish Community think about this??
— Lila (@doritalita) October 20, 2015
