Official announcement from the Canadian Human Rights Commission or the Canadian government

Birju Dattani Resigns as Canadian Human Rights Chief Over Antisemitic Posts, $394K Job

Aug 12, 2024, 05:22 PM

Birju Dattani, the newly appointed head of the Canadian Human Rights Commission, has resigned before officially starting his $394K job. This decision follows an independent investigation into his past social media posts, which were deemed antisemitic by advocacy groups. The investigation also raised concerns about his previous anti-Israel activism. Justice Minister Arif Virani confirmed that Dattani agreed to take leave before his appointment could take effect. The Canadian government has faced criticism for not releasing the findings of the investigation, which reportedly highlighted issues with Dattani's candour during the appointment process. Dattani's resignation marks the end of a controversial appointment process that drew significant public and political scrutiny.