Damage Control at Earl Haig Secondary School, Toronto

"It is hard to believe that no one recognized the significance of this day, where the world recognizes the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack perpetrated against the Jewish people since the Holocaust."

"This further underscores that school boards should be focused on creating safe learning environments for all students, never at the expense of one community over another."

"The federal National Anthem Act sets out that the official lyrics are in English or French, and if the school boards choose not to represent our national symbols and federal legislation, then I will take action." 

Paul Calandra, Ontario Minister of Education 

Ontario Education Minister Paul Calandra Andres Valenzuela/Toronto Star

"This was, at best, insensitive, and more than likely intentionally meant to cause distress and harm to their Jewish students."

"[Whoever made the decision] That person should be fired."

Kevin Vuong, former Toronto Spadina-Fort York riding Member of Parliament  

On the Tuesday morning of October 7, when Jews mourned the mass slaughter and abduction of Israelis by Palestinian terrorists at its second anniversary, Earl Haig Secondary School, a public school located in North Toronto chose to play a recording of O Canada, the country's national anthem, in Arabic through its PA system. That this was a deliberate mockery of the butchery of 1,200 people, the abduction of 250 children and other citizens of Israel is beyond doubt. 

 

"They have a CD that includes O Canada in English, French, Metis, Farsi and Arabic. Today, they decided to play the Arabic one", the investigative journal Juno News was informed on enquiry by an inside, unnamed source at the school. Presumably, a Jewish student. There are some 2,000 students enrolled at this high school. The school itself is located at the junction near Yonge Street and Sheppard Avenue, a distinct district that was once associated with a large Jewish neighbourhood contingent. 

 

That same unidentified source then went on to state that the school principal, following the Arabic-language recording had made a brief announcement. "He said it was a tough day for our community and encouraged students to reach out to friends if they needed support. He didn't mention October 7 specifically."

 

A Jewish Students Union (JSU) is listed on the Earl Haig website, among its other student clubs, along with a contact for Jewish Family and Child Services in the English version of its parent handbook. The handbook is available as well in Chinese, Korean and Farsi. According to media reports, approximately 100 of the students at the school are Jewish. 

 

Earl Haig Secondary School is seen on Google Maps. Photo by Google Maps

 

"This was not done with any ill intent. I recognize the hurt that playing this version of the anthem on this date caused those in our community."

"As you know, it has been a difficult week at Earl Haig SS due to an unfortunate incident, which involved the Arabic-language version of O Canada being played on the morning of October 7th, a solemn day for many in our school community and around the world."

"Shortly after the announcements concluded, I spoke with both students and staff, including Earl Haig’s Jewish Student Association and apologized for what had occurred and supported them in any way I could."

"I haven’t written until now because we needed to take the time to properly investigate to determine what exactly happened."

"After speaking with multiple students and staff throughout the week, including those who are part of our Earl Haig Radio Team, we can now say with certainty that this was not done with any ill intent and that they are truly remorseful for what happened. Together with other staff, we have been checking in with students throughout the week and will continue to provide support as needed."

"In line with direction from the Minister, all TDSB schools, including Earl Haig, will only be using English, French or instrumental versions of the National Anthem moving forward."

Steve Yee, principal, Earl Haig Secondary School, North York 

 

No ill intent? Mere coincidence that the occasion meshed with the second anniversary of the October 7/23 Palestinian terrorism attack in southern Israel when thousands of Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Fatah and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine psychopathic operatives, along with ordinary Palestinian citizens flooded across from Gaza to perpetrate a mass orgy of rape, torture, murder, looting, destruction and abduction of Israeli children, women, the elderly and foreign farm workers along with Israeli soldiers to use them as captured and tortured chess pieces in the game of prisoner exchange...?