**Toronto School Criticized for Playing Arabic Version of Anthem** Ontario's Education Minister Paul Calandra criticized a Toronto high school for playing an Arabic version of the national anthem on October 7, a day that marks the anniversary of a significant tragedy for the Jewish community. The incident occurred at Earl Haig Secondary School in North York, where students and staff stood for the anthem while Jewish students were mourning the second anniversary of the mass murders committed by Hamas. Calandra expressed disbelief that the event was accidental, stating, "It is hard to believe that no one recognized the significance of this day, where the world recognizes the anniversary of the worst terrorist attack perpetrated against the Jewish people since the Holocaust." He emphasized that school boards should prioritize creating safe learning environments for all students. The playing of the Arabic anthem was controversial, as Canadian law mandates that the national anthem be performed in one of the country's two official languages, English or French. The timing of the event, coinciding with the anniversary of the attacks in Israel, was viewed as particularly insensitive to Jewish students. A parent of a Jewish student reported that their child was "completely shaken up" by the incident. The parent noted that school officials failed to acknowledge the significance of the day, stating, "They couldn’t bring themselves to say the word Jewish or Israel and explain that two years ago from this date was the greatest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust." The parent added that Jewish students feel pressured to hide their identity due to a lack of acknowledgment from school leaders. The Ministry of Education and the Toronto District School Board are currently investigating the incident. The day also coincided with the Jewish holiday of Sukkot, and it is estimated that around 100 Jewish students attend Earl Haig, which has a total enrollment of 2,048 students. Former MP Kevin Vuong described the situation as "insensitive" and raised concerns that the anthem's playing could have been intended to cause distress to Jewish students. Calandra dismissed claims that the incident was accidental, stating that the school should not expect leniency. He warned all Ontario schools against playing altered versions of the national anthem in the future, saying, "I am disappointed that I would have to direct that school boards demonstrate appropriate respect for our National Anthem by ensuring that it is played only in its official form." He referenced the federal National Anthem Act, which stipulates that the anthem's official lyrics are in English or French. Meir Weinstein of Israel Now supported Calandra's stance, calling for an investigation into the school's decision to broadcast the anthem on such a significant day. He suggested that the action could be interpreted as an endorsement of the violence against Israelis. This incident was not isolated, as other schools in the Greater Toronto Area also experienced protests on October 7. Students at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Catholic Secondary School and John Fraser Secondary School were reported to have protested with Palestinian flags on the same day. Calandra's comments highlight the need for sensitivity and respect in educational environments, particularly regarding issues that affect diverse communities. He made it clear that the playing of the Arabic version of the anthem on October 7 or any other date is unacceptable.