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In a Feb. 5 column, Bernie M. Farber and Eric Vernon asked readers of Canada's National Post a simple question.

They mentioned the Durban Review Conference, which is the preparation for the United Nations' anti-Jewish hatefest, and then asked: "since last January, only Israel has joined Canada in boycotting the proceedings. Several other democracies have staked out a wait-and-see attitude. What are they waiting for?"

They then said that Canadian Prime Minster Stephen Harper should be lauded for taking a principled stand and leading Canada's boycott of the conference.

Indeed Harper should be praised.

But it's heartening to realize that this was just the latest in a series of pro-Israel stands Canada has taken. In recent months, Canada -- sometimes referred to as America's wool cap -- has been more like America's yiddisher kop.

And if only we would listen.

Jason Kenney, then-secretary of state for multiculturalism and Canadian identity, called the Durban II conference, as it is known, "a circus of intolerance," while another Canadian government official in January called it "a gong show."

The first conference, the World Conference Against Racism, held in Durban, South Africa, was presided over by Mary Robinson, who at the time was the U.N.'s high commissioner for human rights. The conference devolved (by design) into an astounding display of anti-Semitism not seen since WWII Germany. Robinson was president of Ireland for much of the 1990s, and her country held the European Union presidency near the end of her term. As we have previously reported, Robinson was shoveling millions of dollars a month to Yasser Arafat during that time.

Our friends over at the Canada Free Press have summed up the U.N.'s behavior nicely: "An international institution that trumpets its Universal Declaration of Human Rights while openly seeking the destruction of the population of one of its member nations is so inherently debased that it should cease to exist."

The 2009 sequel, to be held this month in Geneva, Switzerland, gave Libya and Cuba prime planning responsibilities, making it clear the conference would be irreversibly infected with the truth-eating bacteria of Islamist and communist anti-Semitism.

As such, Canada and Israel will not be in attendance; the U.S. is regrettably on the fence. But for those who have been following Canada in recent years, this show of pro-Israel leadership is nothing new.

After the terrorist group Hamas won the Palestinian elections in 2006, Canada was the first government outside of Israel to suspend aid to the Hamas-led government.

"The stated platform of this government has not addressed the concerns raised by Canada and others concerning nonviolence, the recognition of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the roadmap for peace," Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay said in a statement after the elections. "As a result, Canada will have no contact with the members of the Hamas Cabinet and is suspending assistance to the Palestinian Authority."

The U.N. Human Rights Council has also been a committee dedicated to Israel's demonization. The U.S. left the council under George W. Bush to try to work for human rights outside the farcical commission. Canada remained on the council, but has been a lone voice in support of Israel in that position, using whatever influence it has there to try to inject some honesty and justice into the bloodstream of the sick spectacle that is the U.N.

For example, in January, the council passed a resolution condemning Israel's counteroffensive against Hamas in Gaza. Thirteen countries abstained, including our European "allies." Only one country voted against the resolution: Canada.

As Reuters reported, "Canada complained that the text, which called for an immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces, failed to recognize that Israel had acted to stop rocket attacks on its territory from the Hamas-controlled Gaza. Germany, speaking for European Union members on the Council, said they would abstain for the same reason." In other words, the resolution was dishonest and biased, so the profiles-in-courage at the European Union took a nap during the vote.

And let us not forget Canada's opposition to 9/11 conspiracy theorist Richard Falk, who is a leading purveyor of the "Israel is committing a Holocaust in Gaza" fertilizer that emanates from the intellectual litter boxes of American and European institutions of higher learning. Falk, a professor emeritus at Princeton University, was appointed last year as the U.N.'s special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories, a position tasked with investigating Israel's treatment of Palestinians.

Canada, once again, stepped up to the plate and took a swing. "Canada has serious concerns about whether the high standards established by the council... will be able to be met by this individual," said Marius Grinius, the Canadian delegate, according to Canwest News Service. "It is with disappointment, therefore, that Canada dissociates itself from any council decision to approve the full slate."

It's good to know the Jewish people have that kind of support in the Canadian government. The West, including the U.S., should follow Canada's lead on Durban and other related issues. To echo Farber and Vernon: What are they waiting for?

Seth Mandel is the managing editor of The Jewish State.