Ask the CRA to investigate the Asper Foundation because it might be illegal to be this messy
Through the Asper Foundation, large donations have been made to health care, arts, and community organizations in Canada including the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in Winnipeg, as well as organizations in Israel. With funds going to Israel to support war crimes and genocide and support for anti-Palestinian racism, these donations represent art-washing, health-washing, and community-washing.
Noted for his commitment to Winnipeg, Israel (Izzy) Asper launched the Friends of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights in 2003 to fulfill his dream of learning for students about human rights.
As a life-long, public zionist, Israel Asper had very close ties to Israel and was supportive of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In 2002, the Foundation co-sponsored multi-city Canadian speaking tour for Benjamin Netanyahu (then former PM) with the State of Israel Bonds and other Canadian groups.
The Asper Foundation has made significant gifts to pro-Israel organizations including $4 million to the Jewish National Fund, which has since been revoked by the CRA; over $23 million to the Jewish Federation of Winnipeg/Combined Jewish Appeal, over $2 million to the Canadian Friends of Hebrew University, and another $2 million to the United Israel Appeal of Canada. Other gifts include donations to the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal, Birthright Israel – Canada, and B’nai Brith.
The Asper Foundation also founded the Israel Asper Community Action Center established in 2007, provides vocational training to youth, new immigrants and under-served populations. It is located in Ramot Alon, one of the large ring settlements of occupied East Jerusalem. The settlement is built on the Palestinian villages of Beit Iksa and Lifta. This violates Canadian public policy, Canadian law, and international law.
Further, these foundations have failed to file accurate annual reports. For example, multiple incorrectly reported the business number (BN) for recipient charities (in some cases nearly 50% of the time). In most cases the full BN was not provided, and only a portion of the full string was listed.
- In at least 80 cases, representing over $1.1 million, the Gail Asper Foundation listed no BN for recipient charities.
- In several cases, the BN and name provided by the Gail Asper Foundation did not match. For instance, a total of $100,180 was listed as going to the Jewish Foundation of Manitoba but the BN listed is associated with the Jewish Community Foundation of Montreal. In several instances, the name Dry Cold Production was listed as recipients, but three separate BN were listed. One BN was for Diabetes Canada ($15,000), another was for the Royal Manitoba Theatre Centre ($7,000).
- In over 100 cases, representing $136 million, the Asper Family Foundation listed no BN for recipient charities. This includes five donations in 2001 of $20 to $30 million each.
Ask the CRA to investigate!
