Radio-Canada issued an apology following a television segment where one of its reporters made antisemitic remarks. Correspondent Élisa Serret, reporting from Washington on U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s visit to Israel, stated that the Jews fund a significant portion of American politics and oversee a major operation, while also mentioning that Jewish individuals manage America’s major cities and Hollywood.
In response, Radio-Canada released a statement on its website denouncing Serret’s comments as stereotypical, antisemitic, and prejudicial. The network emphasized that such remarks go against its journalistic standards and practices, leading to Serret being relieved of her duties temporarily. Radio-Canada expressed regret for the offense caused by the comments.
The Quebec chapter of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) criticized Radio-Canada for spreading antisemitic falsehoods. Canadian Minister Steven Guilbeault condemned the remarks, highlighting the dangers of normalizing hatred through such language. Liberal MP Anthony Housefather pointed out that Serret’s comments aligned with the IHRA definition of antisemitism adopted by the Government of Canada, which considers attributions of Jewish control over societal institutions as antisemitic.
Housefather commended Radio-Canada for apologizing, taking action against Serret, and reaffirming the inappropriateness of using such language.