B.C. real estate agent punished over antisemitic message to Toronto restaurant

The B.C. Financial Services Authority has sanctioned a Vancouver real estate agent and ordered him to complete mandatory education after he sent a hateful message to a Jewish Toronto restaurant.

BCFSA says Nima Alizadeh-Gharib, a licensed agent since 2011 who worked under Coldwell Banker Prestige Realty at the time of the incident, sent an “antisemitic, violent and hateful” direct message from his personal Instagram account on Dec. 22, 2024.

The account, though intended to be private, included posts identifying him as a real estate agent and linked to his public professional profile, the regulator said. 

A complaint was subsequently filed with BCFSA.

Alizadeh-Gharib’s message to the restaurant was not included in the BCFSA consent order. 

‘Unacceptable’ conduct prompts discipline

Under a consent order dated March 19, Alizadeh-Gharib agreed to a reprimand and must, at his own expense of $3,000, complete a custom educational course provided by the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center for Holocaust Studies.

He must also pay $2,350 in enforcement expenses within two months of the order. If he fails to comply, his licence may be suspended or cancelled.

He has no prior disciplinary history.

“The licensee’s decision to send a hateful message is unacceptable and goes against the high standards of conduct that real estate licensees are held to,” Jon Vandall, senior vice-president of financial professionals at BCFSA, said in a statement.

“This case is a stark reminder that your actions online can harm your reputation.”

Alizadeh-Gharib makes apology

Alizadeh-Gharib apologized in writing to the restaurant on Jan. 6, 2025, saying he took “full responsibility” for his behaviour and the harm caused.

In an interview with BCFSA investigators on May 1, 2025, he said he had consumed a significant amount of alcohol before sending the message. He said he had viewed a social media post that he thought meant that the restaurant was financially supporting the Israeli Defense Forces with their operations in Gaza.

He also said he attended seven counselling sessions after the incident and is not affiliated with any religious or political group. He was warned by the RCMP that further contact with the restaurant could result in criminal charges.

In addition to the mandated coursework, Alizadeh-Gharib has committed to ongoing education to better understand the impact of his actions.

He has also made a $1,000 donation to the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre as a gesture of goodwill.

The post B.C. real estate agent punished over antisemitic message to Toronto restaurant appeared first on REM.