This association constitutes a significant conflict of interest that should have been transparently disclosed. Given Leslie Roberts’ previous resignation from Global TV following an ethics breach in 2015, this pattern raises serious concerns about the Suburban’s editorial oversight and its commitment to public accountability.
Dear Suburban editorial team,
I am writing to you on behalf of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East (CJPME) to express my concern regarding the article “October 7 deserved mourning and respect — not protests,” penned by Leslie Roberts.
I take issue with this statement:
“Their words demanded that we remember. Yet outside the Roddick gates, hundreds of pro-Palestinian protesters screamed antisemitic tropes as hundreds of police officers lined up separating the two groups.”
Leslie Roberts claims that protesters outside McGill “screamed antisemitic tropes,” without mentioning them, providing specific examples or distinguishing particular individuals’ conduct from that of the broader pro-Palestine demonstration. While allegations of antisemitism are serious, the Suburban must support these claims with factual accuracy even in an opinion column. Without that evidence, this risks associating pro-Palestinian protest as a whole with antisemitism. Conflation of criticisms of Israel as antisemitism by Palestinians and/or pro-Palestine activists can be seen as a form of anti-Palestinian racism according to the Arab Canadian Lawyers Association.
Moreover, I want to bring to your attention that, in 2025, Leslie Roberts went on a propaganda trip to Israel sponsored by the Exigent Foundation, a pro-Israel lobbying organization with connections to former Israeli intelligence agents. His brother, Rob Roberts, the National Post’s Editor-in-Chief, reportedly participated in the same trip. The Exigent Foundation is funded in part by the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs. According to Press Progress, since 2024, the Exigent Foundation has organized a number of “fact-finding” trips with guest lists featuring a who’s who of right-wing Canadian media personalities and social media influencers, including Leslie Roberts.
This association constitutes a significant conflict of interest that should have been transparently disclosed. Given Leslie Roberts’ previous resignation from Global TV following an ethics breach in 2015, this pattern raises serious concerns about the Suburban’s editorial oversight and its commitment to public accountability.
In light of these concerns, CJPME demands that The Suburban issue a clarification or update to the article retracting or properly substantiating the generalized claim regarding 'antisemitic tropes'. We also demand that you add a clear disclosure statement to the piece acknowledging Leslie Roberts sponsored travel with the Exigent Foundation. Finally, we also demand that you allow CJPME to publish a response to Roberts' claims as a counter-perspective to uphold the standard of journalistic balance in your outlet.