New human rights commissioner resigns before starting role

Canada's human rights commissioner Birju Dattani has resigned before ever officially starting the job, according to a post on his LinkedIn account.

Dattani agreed to go on leave last week — the day before he was set to officially begin his role — following complaints about past comments and actions of his that were called antisemitic by the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA).

«I remain a steadfast believer in the Commission's work, mandate, and its importance to our democracy,» Dattani posted on LinkedIn on Monday.

The complaints triggered a fact-finding mission initiated by Justice Minister Arif Virani and run by the firm Filion Wakely Angeletti LLP. They submitted their report to Virani on July 31.

"The findings speak for themselves," Virani said in a media statement. «I received Mr. Dattani's submissions in response to the report on August 1, 2024. I have accepted Mr. Dattani's decision to step down as Chief Commissioner. As I have said, maintaining the confidence of all Canadians in the Canadian Human Rights Commission remains my top priority.»

Virani added that the search for a new commissioner will begin as soon as possible and the interim commissioner, Charlotte-Anne Malischewski, will continue to serve in the role in the meantime.

In Dattani's Aug. 1 response, shared on his LinkedIn account alongside his resignation announcement, he points out the report found his comments should not be characterized as antisemitic.

«Based on Mr. Dattani's evidence, the scholarship that was reviewed and provided, we cannot find that Mr. Dattani harboured or harbours any beliefs that would be characterized as anti-Semitic or that he has demonstrated any biases (conscious or unconscious) towards Jews or Israelis,» says a segment