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October 6, 2005 (Canadian Jewish News)

Anti-racism group fetes Switzer, Comper

The Canadian Council of Christians and Jews (CCCJ) held a reception last week for philanthropist Elizabeth Comper and broadcaster Jay Switzer, the recipients of the group’s 2005 Human Relations Award.

The reception, held at the CHUM building, aimed to publicize the CCCJ’s 58th anniversary and its awards dinner, to be held Nov. 29 at the Fairmont Royal York, where Comper and Switzer will officially receive their prizes.

“It’s important to highlight the work of those people who have done so much to promote cultural acceptance and understanding among Canadians,” said Amanda Sherrington, the CCCJ’s national executive director. “Elizabeth Comper and Jay Switzer epitomize that commitment to diversity.”

Comper, a former primary school teacher in Etobicoke, has fundraised and volunteered for many organizations across Canada. Earlier this year, she and her husband Tony Comper, president and CEO of BMO Financial Group, launched FAST, a coalition of non-Jewish business and community leaders that aims to fight anti-Semitism and racism.

She called the CCCJ award a “great honour” because “it identifies me with an organization I have admired and been thankful for as long as I can remember. Its whole reason for being is to bring people together and appreciate what, as human beings, we all have in common.”

Switzer, president and CEO of CHUM Limited, is a respected member of the Canadian media industry and known for his commitment to diversity.

“It’s a privilege to be recognized by the CCCJ, an organization that has done so much for the people of Canada,” Switzer said. “Creating dialogue and understanding among cultures will benefit Canadian society for generations.”

The CCCJ says it aims to eradicate discrimination and bigotry in Canada “through education, research, communication and community building.”

Reproduced with permission from the Canadian Jewish News

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