Restaurant staff losing their jobs for cheering on a pro-Palestinian protest. A Palestinian Canadian journalist fired for her social media posts calling for a #freepalestine. Medical residents flagged to potential hiring committees for their support of Palestinians.

These are just some of the many instances across Canada in which employees and students have faced firings, suspensions or calls for them to not be hired based on their publicly stated political stance on the Israel-Hamas war. It’s a trend that has been reported not just in Canada but also in the U.S. and Europe, and across various industries, including media, law, health care and the service sector.

According to three Ontario-based lawyers who spoke to CBC News, some employers and institutions have been quick to take action against employees or students, creating an environment in which many are afraid they will lose their jobs or face consequences to their education if they express a political stance in favour of one side — Palestinians — during this war.

“I can tell you personally, in the last month and a half, I’ve probably spoken with someone at least once a day [about this],” said Jackie Esmonde, a labour lawyer at Toronto-based firm Cavalluzzo Law. "They’re not always cases that we take on, but we do have in the range of eight to 10 cases that we’re actively working on at the moment.

“I’m not seeing people making what I would consider hate speech or discriminatory speech.”

  • swearengen
    1·
    11 months ago

    I’m just impressed you’ve maintained this quaint notion of how the world works at your age. You seem to have an honest belief in international law and humanity.

    I have a belief system based in reality. One where winners dictate terms. No one from a nation with nukes will face the same fate as someone from an African or Balkan country.

    I even drink beer and smoke shisha with one, even though it’s haram.

    Funny how much better life starts to get the further one strays from religion. It’s almost like it’s holding us all back or something /s

    • BringMeTheDiscoKing@lemmy.caEnglish
      11·
      11 months ago

      I wish I could say I was surprised by your nihilistic attitude, at your presumed age, but it’s sadly all too common. As I’ve gotten older and watched the world I have become more convinced of the importance of international order, not less.

      To be perfectly clear, and as I’ve repeatedly explained, attitudes like the one you’re demonstrating are the essential reason why things are going downhill. To you and everyone like you: Stop acting like an angry 17 year old who just read Ayn Rand. Grow up.

      I do think that religion holds us back – but I’m trying to understand your use of the sarcasm tag. Is the god you worship the military industrial complex and nationalistic exceptionalism? Do you worship The Bomb? Your unquestioning faith in your ‘reality’ seems like a kind of religious fervor.

      I am surprised that you’ve continued the conversation for so long without providing anything of substance. Your faith must be unshakeable.

      You seem to have an honest belief in international law and humanity.

      You say Islam is a death cult, but have you heard yourself?