OTTAWA – The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs said today that the federal budget failed to prioritize community security, a shortcoming made more stark by news that a Toronto synagogue was vandalized for at least the tenth time in the past year. CIJA chief Noah Shack said the omission breaks an election pledge to boost the Canada Community Security Program and leaves Jewish institutions exposed.
On social media and in a formal statement, Noah Shack said Jewish schools, community centres, and synagogues are taking extraordinary security measures daily. He said budgetary promises to โsignificantly increaseโ funding for community protection were not met and urged the government to correct course.
The provincial report of repeated vandalism at a Toronto synagogue reinforced CIJAโs point. Local media reported the location had been targeted repeatedly, underscoring the persistent threat faced by Jewish institutions and the need for predictable federal support for security measures.
Budget 2025 includes significant investments in federal policing capacity. The Prime Ministerโs office highlighted a package to hire additional personnel and boost RCMP resources, including an announced $1.8 billion over four years to increase federal policing capacity and address serious crime. But community advocates say those broad public safety measures do not replace the specialized funding that vulnerable faith and cultural communities require.
Public Safety Canadaโs existing Canada Community Security Program provides targeted support for protective measures at places of worship, schools, and community centres. Recent departmental briefings note that earlier budgets made multi-year commitments to the program, but advocates argue the ongoing core funding remains insufficient to match escalating costs and growing threats.
Jewish communal organizations have repeatedly asked Ottawa to increase core CCSP funding to reflect rising security needs. Multiple community outlets reported mounting pressure on the government to allocate more predictable, long-term funding to cover guards, technology, and facility hardening. CIJA warned that without meaningful new investment, communities will continue to bear disproportionate security costs.
Government officials argue that broader policing investments and existing anti-hate measures are part of a comprehensive approach to public safety. Budget documents and communications from the Prime Ministerโs office emphasize investments in enforcement, crime prevention, and support for victims. Still, communal leaders say targeted, community-level programs are distinct and urgently needed.
CIJA outlined specific priorities it said were missing from the budget. Among them were a significant increase in annual core CCSP funding, streamlined application processes for emergency funding, and dedicated resources for long-term preventive measures in schools and synagogues. The group said such steps would ensure communities can plan and sustain protective measures rather than rely on ad hoc fundraising.
The absence of those measures, CIJA said, is especially concerning at a time when incidents of vandalism, harassment, and other hate crimes have risen in many parts of the country. The group called on parliamentarians to revisit funding allocations and to engage directly with community leaders to craft a workable solution.
Opposition and community groups are expected to press the government in the coming days for amendments or supplementary funding announcements. For many within Canadaโs Jewish community, the debate is not ideological. It is practical. It is about ensuring safe access to religious life, schools, and communal services.
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This article is based on verified information from the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, Global News, Public Safety Canada, the Office of the Prime Minister, and The Canadian Jewish News.