Recognizing Anti-Palestinian Racism in Mississauga

Mississauga is home to the largest Palestinian population in Canada, whose residents contribute significantly to the city's social, cultural, and economic fabric.

Anti-Palestinian Racism (APR) is defined as:

"The systemic or individual denial of the Palestinian people's history, identity, and dignity; the erasure or dehumanization of Palestinians; the defamation, stereotyping, or exclusion of Palestinians from civic, educational, or public life; and the discrimination against individuals, institutions, or communities because they are Palestinian or are perceived to support Palestinian human rights."

Anti-Palestinian Racism can take many forms, including:

• the denial or erasure of Palestinian history, identity, culture, and lived experiences;
• the dehumanization or stereotyping of Palestinians and Palestinian communities;
• discrimination against individuals because they are Palestinian or are perceived to support Palestinian human rights;
• the suppression or penalization of Palestinian cultural expression, political identity, or advocacy;
• exclusion of Palestinian voices, perspectives, and narratives from civic, educational, or public life;
• online harassment, hate-motivated rhetoric, and other forms of hostility directed toward Palestinians.

Across Mississauga and the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), incidents of Anti-Palestinian Racism have increasingly been documented, including discrimination and targeted disciplinary action toward Palestinian, Arab, and Muslim students; the suppression of Palestinian cultural expression in schools; online harassment; and institutional barriers that prevent Palestinian histories and narratives from being acknowledged or treated equitably.

These incidents have contributed to a climate of fear, marginalization, and exclusion, particularly among youth. Palestinian students, families, and community members deserve to feel safe, respected, and included in schools, workplaces, public institutions, and community spaces.

The City of Mississauga has demonstrated leadership in addressing antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-Black racism, anti-Indigenous racism, and other forms of hate and discrimination. Consistent with the City's One Mississauga commitment to fostering a community grounded in inclusion, dignity, respect, and belonging for all residents, we ask that the City formally recognize and condemn Anti-Palestinian Racism as a distinct and systemic form of racism.

This petition is intended for residents of Mississauga and/or those who own or rent property in the City.

This petition will be considered a public document at the City of Mississauga and the information contained in it may be subject to the scrutiny of the City and Members of Council.