In her new book, Truth Be Told, Selina Robinson exposes how antisemitism is gaining ground within left-wing ideology
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According to former British Columbia cabinet minister Selina Robinson, Canada’s Left has an antisemitism problem.
Robinson would know. Until 2023, she was the only Jewish member of the leftist BC government’s provincial cabinet. That ended abruptly when she was fired on allegations of racism and Islamophobia that many believe were fabricated.
On Dec. 18, 2024, Robinson released a tell-all book about her experiences, aptly named Truth Be Told. In it, she paints a harrowing picture of her downfall, describing herself as an experienced and effective cabinet minister targeted by activists seeking a Jewish scapegoat in the wake of the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel. From 2017 to 2024, Robinson served in key roles in the BC government, including minister of municipal affairs, finance, and post-secondary education.
Her political journey began with a desire to implement Jewish values, particularly the principle of tikkun olam – repairing the world. This led her to the traditionally social-democratic New Democratic Party (NDP), a party she once viewed as a natural home for progressive Jews.
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Historically, the NDP had been an early supporter of Israel, drawn to the nation’s democratic and inclusive ideals. Even as the political landscape in the Middle East shifted after the Six-Day War and the Palestinian issue dominated headlines, the NDP maintained a balanced approach to the Israel-Palestine conflict. However, as Robinson discovered in 2023, that balance has been abandoned.
Her alleged crime took place during an online panel on Jan. 20, 2024, where four Canadian Jewish officials discussed the surge in antisemitism across the country. In her remarks, Robinson attempted to highlight the lack of understanding among younger Canadians about Israeli history, stating that youth “don’t understand that it [Israel] was a crappy piece of land with nothing on it.”
This offhand comment, describing the economic underdevelopment of pre-1948 Palestine, was ripped out of context. Robinson quickly found herself at the centre of a firestorm. She was accused of promoting genocide, racism, and Islamophobia. Radical Muslim groups demanded her removal, and the cancel culture mob turned their fury on her.
In response, Robinson issued multiple apologies, hoping to quell the outrage. Predictably, her attempts at reconciliation only fuelled the anger. Islamic organizations accused her of “blatant bigotry,” and calls for her dismissal grew louder.
Her political allies abandoned her. In February 2024, then-BC premier David Eby removed her from cabinet, effectively ending her ministerial career.
But Robinson refused to go quietly. She resigned from the NDP caucus, accusing her former colleagues of hypocrisy and pointing to numerous instances of antisemitism within the party that had been ignored or excused.
Then she wrote her book. Truth Be Told names names and exposes what she describes as widespread indifference or hostility towards Jews within the BC NDP, especially after Oct. 7. She recounts how, in the immediate aftermath of the Hamas attacks that left thousands dead or abducted, NDP members rushed to issue statements of solidarity with Palestinians, glossing over the brutality of the events.
Robinson’s experience, while deeply personal, reflects a broader trend on Canada’s Left. As she notes in her book, antisemitism has become deeply entrenched in left-wing ideology, disguised as anti-colonialism and anti-Western rhetoric. The NDP, once a balanced voice on the Israel-Palestine conflict, has shifted towards an increasingly radical pro-Palestinian stance.
This is evident in the recurring controversies surrounding NDP candidates at both the provincial and federal levels. Election after election, candidates have been called out – and occasionally removed – for past antisemitic remarks. But the problem isn’t confined to the NDP. The Liberal Party, which currently governs Canada, has also shifted away from its traditional role as a fair broker on the world stage. Today, it often joins the international chorus of criticism directed at Israel.
Robinson argues this isn’t just about old-fashioned antisemitism. It’s a new form of ideological vitriol, fuelled by anti-colonialist narratives that paint Jews as “white adjacent” and Israel as a symbol of Western oppression. In this framework, ancient hatred is repackaged as moral outrage, making Jews and Israel convenient targets.
Israel has long been a scapegoat, but as Robinson’s story shows, the Canadian Left is now eagerly embracing this dangerous mixture of ancient prejudice and modern ideology.
Truth Be Told is not just a condemnation of what Robinson endured – it’s also a call to confront the antisemitism that permeates Canadian politics. Her book shines a harsh but necessary light on the growing darkness, offering hope that exposing these truths might lead to change.
Collin May is a Senior Fellow with the Aristotle Foundation for Public Policy, a lawyer, and Adjunct Lecturer in Community Health Sciences at the University of Calgary, with degrees in law (Dalhousie University), a Masters in Theological Studies (Harvard) and a Diplome d’etudes approfondies (Ecole des hautes etudes, Paris).
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