Toronto (December 8, 2021) – In a 10-7 vote, Toronto District School Board (TDSB) trustees rejected the conclusion of the Integrity Commissioner that Trustee Alexandra Lulka breached the Board Member Code of Conduct when she spoke out against antisemitism, therefore rejecting any possible censure.

The vote took place during this evening’s virtual TDSB meeting, during which the Office of the Integrity Commissioner’s recent investigation report and recommendation to censure Lulka was brought forward for deliberation. The Integrity Commissioner had concluded that Lulka's tweeted statement, in which she condemned antisemitic materials distributed to teachers by a TDSB employee, contravened section 6.10 of the Code, wrongfully alleging discriminatory behaviour.

A letter from Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) sent to trustees yesterday expressed alarm and stated that censure would only “embolden perpetrators of antisemitism while making those who wish to confront antisemitism fearful of doing so.”

FSWC commends the trustees who voted against the findings contained in the Integrity Commissioner's report, including trustees Aarts, Chernos Lin, Donaldson, Doyle, Laskin, Li, Nunziata, Pilkey, Story and Tonks.

"We commend each and every TDSB trustee who voted in support of Trustee Alexandra Lulka and her right to speak out against antisemitism," said Michael Levitt, President and CEO of FSWC. "The trustees understood that censure would set a chilling precedent and impact trustees' abilities to stand up to hate and discrimination."