Longtime Chief Executive Officer Bernie Farber announced his intention to run for the Liberal party of Ontario to challenge  incumbant Conservative member of the Ontario legislature, Peter Shurman, in the riding of Thornhill, which has a very sizable Jewish population. Shurman is considered to be one of the most pro-Israel members of the legistature. 

President of  CJC Mark  Frieman,  said in a statement," Canadian Jewish Congress, like other organs of the Jewish community, has always encouraged our professional staff to engage in public service, including by standing for election for public office.  As is common in other Jewish organizations, our policies provide for leaves of absence to enable our professionals to take up such opportunities, and we have granted Bernie's request for such a leave.  Bernie has dedicated much of his life to defending and supporting the Jewish community of Canada and for that we are grateful."

"Irrespective of the personal political choices of our professional staff upon taking leaves of absence to run for public office, our organization remains resolutely non-partisan in its advocacy on behalf of Canada's Jewish community," said Freiman.

Former Winnipegger, National Executive Director and General Counsel of Canadian Jewish Congress(CJC), Benjamin L. Shinewald has just become the Acting Chief Executive Officer of CJC effective immediately.