Bernie Farber

Farber was born in Ottawa, Ontario. His father was a Polish Jew who lost his first wife, two children and other family members in the Holocaust. Farber cites his father's experience as a major motivation in his life, saying, "the pain my father endured during the war is what drove me to fight for social justice today."[http://magazine.carleton.ca/2004_winter/1181.htm Alumni profile: Fighting racism] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061013023818/http://magazine.carleton.ca/2004_Winter/1181.htm |date=October 13, 2006 }} by Alex Wooley, Carleton University Magazine, Winter 2004

Farber received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Carleton University in Ottawa where he was involved in many social causes. He was a student leader with Ottawa's Jewish community and was also involved in the campaign to pressure the Soviet Union to allow Soviet Jews to emigrate. As the director of Ottawa's Jewish Community Centre, Farber also directed its day camp in the mid-1970s.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=VdU_AAAAIBAJ&sjid=CO4FAAAAIBAJ&dq=jewish%20community%20centre&pg=2301%2C2309683 Puppets hold message of Jewish heritage]

He graduated in 1975 and found a job with the Children's Aid Society (CAS) and the Youth Services Bureau of Ottawa-Carleton.

While working for the Children's Aid Society in the early 1980s, Farber served as president of Ontario Public Service Employees Union Local 454, representing over 300 social and child-care workers.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=Mb4yAAAAIBAJ&sjid=9-4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=3955,1499354&dq=bernie-farber+|+bernard-farber+ontario-public-service-employees-union&hl=en CAS worker sees danger in closures], Ottawa Citizen

Farber currently runs the Canadian Anti-Hate Network with Evan Balgord, a non-profit organization which as its mission statement claims that it: "monitors, researches, and counters hate groups by providing education and information on hate groups to the public, media, researchers, courts, law enforcement, and community groups."

Farber was employed by the Canadian Jewish Congress (CJC) from 1984 until 2011. He was appointed chief executive officer in 2005 [http://www.cjnews.com/viewarticle.asp?id=5409&s=1 CJC names new officers] {{dead link|date=May 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} and had previously been executive director of the CJC's Ontario section and CJC's National Community Relations Director. The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs absorbed the CJC on July 1, 2011.

Farber was appointed by the Ontario government to serve as a member of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group.[http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/hatecrimes/HCCWG_Summary-EN.pdf Report of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429003414/http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about/pubs/hatecrimes/HCCWG_Summary-EN.pdf |date=April 29, 2012 }} He also serves on the city of Vaughan, Ontario's Mayor's Task Force on Community Safety & Security.[http://chamberexecutives.on.ca/articles.php?id=312&aid=3249&nobreadcrumb=&noads=&noarchive=&ajax=1&elementId=contentPlaceHolder&1272772731=& Mayor's Task Force on Community Safety & Security] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706192031/http://chamberexecutives.on.ca/articles.php?id=312&aid=3249&nobreadcrumb=&noads=&noarchive=&ajax=1&elementId=contentPlaceHolder&1272772731=& |date=July 6, 2011 }} Farber is also an associate member of the Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police.

Farber has contributed articles on the Jewish political scene, human rights issues, the Holocaust, hate crime and white supremacy to newspapers including The Globe and Mail,[https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/books/article818097/ Putting books in the right hands] the National Post,[http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/fullcomment/archive/2010/01/27/bernie-m-farber-auschwitz-65-years-latear.aspx Bernie M. Farber: Auschwitz — 65 years later] {{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} the Toronto Star,[https://www.thestar.com/comment/article/734331 Age should not be a shield against justice] and others. He has expressed his own or the CJC's views in newspapers such as The Washington Post[https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/inatl/longterm/canada/stories/refugees080997.htm Canada Imports Troubles With Refugees] and The New York Times.{{cite news |title=Canada Called Haven for Nazi Criminals (Published 1997) |website=The New York Times |date=February 3, 1997 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220224003448/https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/03/world/canada-called-haven-for-nazi-criminals.html?pagewanted=1 |archive-date=February 24, 2022 |url-status=live |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/02/03/world/canada-called-haven-for-nazi-criminals.html?pagewanted=1}} In 1997, Farber was the editor of and wrote portions of From Marches to Modems: A Report on Organized Hate in Metropolitan Toronto, commissioned by the Access and Equity Centre of the municipality of metro Toronto.[http://ceris.metropolis.net/Virtual%20Library/other/farber1.pdf From Marches to Modems: A Report on Organized Hate in Metropolitan Toronto] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100307175701/http://ceris.metropolis.net/Virtual%20Library/other/farber1.pdf |date=March 7, 2010 }}

Farber appears in the 1994 educational video Who is Peter Iswolsky?, conducting an anti-racism workshop for high school students. The film was co-sponsored by the CJC and the National Congress of Italian Canadians.[https://archive.today/20130201101929/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/453352631.html?dids=453352631:453352631&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Mar+19,+1992&author=Al+Sokol+Toronto+Star&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Standing+up+to+racism+A+new+educational+video,+inspired+by+one+man's+courageous+example,+helps+people+confront+intolerance+in+all+its+ugly+forms&pqatl=google Standing up to racism A new educational video], Toronto Star

Regarding the proposed beatification of Pope Pius XII, Farber has said it is improper to move the process forward until the Holy See's archives from the Second World War are fully released.[http://network.nationalpost.com/np/blogs/holy-post/archive/2010/01/06/canadian-jewish-congress-questions-pope-pius-xii-s-move-toward-sainthood.aspx Canadian Jewish Congress questions Pope Pius XII's move toward sainthood] {{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Mr. Farber advocates the abolition of all public recognition accorded to Canada's first Prime Minister, Sir John A. Macdonald. He believes that Macdonald's legacy is one of "cruelty, barbarism and even genocide."{{cite news| url = https://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/thebigdebate/2018/08/21/should-statues-of-sir-john-a-macdonald-be-removed-yes.html?li_source=LI&li_medium=star_web_ymbii| title = Should statues of Sir John A. Macdonald be removed? Yes {{!}} The Star| website = Toronto Star| date = August 21, 2018}}

In December 1994, Canada's Security Intelligence Review Committee reported that the white supremacist group Heritage Front had developed a "hit list" targeting 22 Canadians for murder, most of them Metropolitan Toronto Jews.{{cite book

|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=daFeyrLbqy0C&q=Bernie+farber,+Droege,assassination&pg=PA198

|title=American Jewish Year Book 1996

|last=Singer

|first=David

|publisher= American Jewish Committee

|page=198

|year=1996

|isbn= 978-0-87495-110-3 }}[https://archive.today/20130131153715/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/572419301.html?dids=572419301:572419301&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Dec+16,+1994&author=David+Vienneau+Toronto+Star&pub=Toronto+Star&desc=Racist+group+had+'hit+list'+of+Metro+Jews&pqatl=google Racist group had 'hit list' of Metro Jews], Toronto Star One member had allegedly planned an attack on the CJC offices to "take some people out", with Farber believed to be the primary target.[https://web.archive.org/web/20121104080335/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2300770.html Canada Neo-Nazis Plotted to Kill Jews], Forward

Over the preceding years, Heritage Front had been infiltrated by, and become largely directed by, Grant Bristow, an undercover agent of the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). In August 1994, a report by the Toronto Sun exposed CSIS domestic spying including Bristow's undercover role in Heritage Front, effectively putting an end to any plot.[https://www.nytimes.com/1994/08/28/world/canada-s-security-agency-accused-of-spying-on-canadians.html Canada's Security Agency Accused of Spying on Canadians], New York Times

Farber, who is not gay, was mocked by columnist Antonia Zerbisias in 2009 for wearing a "Nobody knows I'm gay" T-shirt (sold as a fundraiser by a Jewish LGBTQ group) while marching in Toronto's Pride parade as a protest against the inclusion of Queers Against Israeli Apartheid in the march.{{cite news| url=https://www.thestar.com/article/668141 | location=Toronto | work=The Star | title=T-shirts and sexual orientation | date=July 18, 2009}} The Canadian Jewish Congress filed a complaint with the Toronto Star against Zerbisias "outing" Farber.[http://www.macleans.ca/2010/05/06/id-like-to-reply-to-that-editors-note/ "I'd like to reply to that Editor's Note"], Mark Steyn, Maclean's Magazine, May 6, 2010 The newspaper's public editor ruled that Zerbisias' comments "fell short of the Star's standards of fairness, accuracy and civility,"{{cite news|title='Gay' blog post was just not fair|first=Kathy|last=English|date=July 11, 2009| url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/2009/07/11/gay_blog_post_was_just_not_fair.html | work=Toronto Star}} but subsequently modified her assessment and criticized Farber and the CJC since, in their complaint, they did not "think to tell me that [Farber], along with dozens of others who marched with the Kulanu group, had worn a T-shirt that made its own ironic quip. That's context I sure wish I had known" and conceded that Zerbisias' comment "was intended as sarcastic irony, stock in trade for this columnist and blogger."{{cite news|title=Old principles and new media|url=https://www.thestar.com/opinion/2009/07/18/old_principles_and_new_media.html|access-date=September 10, 2013|newspaper=Toronto Star|date=July 18, 2009}}

Farber was on leave from the CJC's successor, the Canadian Council for Israel and Jewish Advocacy during his candidacy as the Ontario Liberal Party's nominee in the 2011 Ontario election in the riding of Thornhill.[http://www.cjnews.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=21437&Itemid=86 Congress CEO takes leave after 27 years "Canadian Jewish News"] Farber received 40% support but lost to Progressive Conservative Peter Shurman by 2,500 votes.{{cite web|url=http://www.wemakevotingeasy.ca/media/EO_Site/official_GE/ED089-F0244.pdf |publisher=Elections Ontario |date=2011 |title=Official return from the records / Rapport des registres officiels - Thornhill |access-date=June 5, 2014 }} {{dead link|date=October 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

{{CANelec/top|ON|2011|per cent=yes|change=yes}}

{{CANelec|ON|PC|Peter Shurman | 20,971| 46.71| +0.81 }}

{{CANelec|ON|Liberal|Bernie Farber | 18,373| 40.92| -1.38 }}

{{CANelec|ON|NDP|Cindy Hackelberg | 4,024| 8.96| +3.46 }}

{{CANelec|ON|Green|Steff Duncan | 756| 1.68| -3.54 }}

{{CANelec|ON|Libertarian|Gene Balfour | 623| 1.39| }}

{{CANelec|ON|Freedom|Erin Gorman | 149| 0.33| +0.03 }}

{{CANelec/total|Total valid votes| 44,896|100.00}}

{{CANelec/total|Total rejected, unmarked and declined ballots|239|0.53}}

{{CANelec/total|Turnout|45,135|45.35}}

{{CANelec/total|Eligible voters|99,517}}

{{CANelec/hold|ON|PC|+1.10}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections Ontario}}

{{end}}

From 2012 to 2015, Farber was the Senior Vice President for Gemini Power Corporation, working in partnership with First Nations to help develop sustainable business economies.{{cite web |url=http://geminipowercorp.ca/pressreleasesc12.php |title=Press Releases : Gemini Power Corp. : A partnership approach to developing sustainable energy projects with First Nations |website=geminipowercorp.ca |access-date=January 12, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130209073321/http://geminipowercorp.ca/pressreleasesc12.php |archive-date=February 9, 2013 |url-status=dead}}

In 1992, Farber was awarded the 125th Anniversary of the Confederation of Canada Medal. The commemorative medal was awarded to 40,000 Canadians for their contributions to community and country.,[https://web.archive.org/web/20121102194856/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/thestar/access/513852881.html?dids=513852881:513852881&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+03,+1992&author=&pub=The+Record&desc=Medals+to+honor+40,000+Canadians&pqatl=google Medals to honor 40,000 Canadians], Toronto Star

Mr Farber has also received the Special Commendation Award from the Venerable Order of St. Johns and is a recipient of Canada's Sovereign Medal https://podcastaddict.com/episode/73407213

Farber also received the Charles "Chuck" Zaionz Award for Jewish Communal Service in December 2012 as well as the Queens Diamond Jubilee Medal.[http://www.cjnews.com/node/99091 Former Congress CEO honoured by Community]

{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Farber, Bernie}}

Category:1951 births

Category:Living people

Category:Carleton University alumni

Category:Writers from Ottawa

Category:Ontario Liberal Party candidates in Ontario provincial elections

Category:Canadian people of Polish-Jewish descent

Category:Canadian Jewish Congress members

Category:Canadian columnists

Category:Jewish Canadian journalists