CIJA Welcomes Government Investment in Community Security, Urges More Action to Confront Sources of Violence

Ottawa, Ontario – March 11, 2026 – Today, the Government of Canada announced a $10 million immediate investment toward Jewish community security. 

In response, Noah Shack, CEO, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, released the following statement: 

“Every day, Canadians are waking up to news of another shooting attack. Multiple shootings at Toronto-area synagogues were not isolated incidents, but the latest in an escalating surge of hate, harassment and violence targeting Jewish Canadians. 

 “The level of security now required to protect Jewish Canadians in Canada is shocking. These measures are necessary to ensure the safety of children going to school, families going to community centres, and people visiting their elderly parents.   

“Today’s announcement of emergency funding to address some of the immediate security needs of the Jewish community is an essential and welcome step at a time when Jewish Canadians face serious threats.   

“Moving forward, we urge the government to quickly fulfill its commitment to improve and significantly enhance funding for the Canada Community Security Program overall.  

“Protecting communities with security infrastructure is a fundamental responsibility of government. At the same time, these threats must also be addressed at their root, using every tool available. This includes enforcing current laws with consistency and ensuring perpetrators are brought to justice, and advancing new legislation, including the Combatting Hate Act and the criminalization of wilful promotion of terrorism, among other measures to protect Canadians.  

“It’s not just the Jewish community’s safety that’s at stake, but Canada’s national security and our Canadian way of life." 

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