Anthony Housefather is clear about one thing: he will run for office again in the riding of Mount Royal—and he expects to win. But he’s unsure about whether he’ll stick with the federal Liberals or choose instead to cross the aisle or even sit as an independent.
The 51-year-old, who has represented his riding since 2015, says has been “reflecting” on his political future since Monday, after he found himself one of only three Members of Parliament from the governing party who voted against a motion outlining Canada’s official stance on the Israel-Hamas war.
Housefather has been a loyal Liberal for 30 years, but this past week he hinted that he wasn’t sure whether he still fits. His House of Commons speech, entitled “I am a Canadian, I am a Jew, I am a Zionist,” was a cri de coeur outlining the anxiety and fear that many Canadian Jews now feel amidst a spike in antisemitism seen after Oct. 7. In his view, the federal government has shifted towards a harder stance against the Israeli government’s actions in response to the Hamas massacre.
So what’s Housefather’s next move? Might he leave the federal scene for a second career in provincial politics? How has he been handling the alarming antagonism from both the right and left? To answer these questions, Housefather sat down with Ellin Bessner on The CJN Daily for an extensive and insightful interview.
Related links
- Read Anthony Housefather’s interview with The CJN Daily in print form, on The CJN.ca
- Watch Anthony Housefather’s speech to Parliament
- How the NDP channelled Vivian Silver and the Holocaust in pushing for Canada to recognize Palestine, on The CJN Daily
Credits
The CJN Daily is written and hosted by Ellin Bessner (@ebessner on Twitter). Zachary Kauffman is the producer. Michael Fraiman is the executive producer. Our theme music is by Dov Beck-Levine. Our title sponsor is Metropia. We’re a member of The CJN Podcast Network. To subscribe to this podcast, please watch this video. Donate to The CJN and receive a charitable tax receipt by clicking here. Hear why The CJN is important to me.