As Legislature Rises, CIJA Calls for Momentum to Continue on Community Safety and School Accountability

Toronto, ON –June 3, 2026 – Following the conclusion of the Ontario Legislature’s spring session, Josh Landau, Director, Government Relations for Ontario, at the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), issued the following statement:   

“When Members of Provincial Parliament returned to Queen’s Park this spring, Ontario’s Jewish community was confronting a level of antisemitism and security concern that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. Synagogues had been targeted by gunfire, extremist demonstrations were increasingly occurring in predominantly Jewish neighbourhoods, and Canada’s intelligence agencies warned that a violent attack against the Jewish community was a realistic possibility. 

“At the outset of this legislative session, we called on the Government of Ontario to focus on three priorities: strengthening security, ensuring the consistent enforcement of existing laws, and increasing accountability within Ontario’s education system. 

“This session delivered meaningful progress on each of these fronts. 

“Earlier this week, the government expanded eligibility under the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant to include Jewish summer camps, helping more community institutions access critical resources to protect children, staff, and families. 

“We also saw important developments in public safety. Law enforcement agencies adopted a more proactive posture in response to evolving threats, including the creation of the Toronto Police Service’s Counter-Terrorism Security Unit and Task Force Guardian. The government further advanced Bill 119, legislation aimed at strengthening community safety, enhancing oversight and governance within policing, and supporting victims and vulnerable populations. 

“In the education sector, the passage of the Putting Students First Act introduced new oversight and accountability measures for school boards. These reforms reflect a growing recognition that schools must be places where every student can learn in a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment — and that concerns about antisemitism cannot be ignored or minimized. 

“These are important and welcome steps. They demonstrate that government and public institutions are increasingly recognizing the seriousness of the challenges facing Ontario’s Jewish community. 

“But they also raise an important question: why did it take a crisis to drive action? 

“Antisemitism is not only a Jewish concern. It is a warning sign for society as a whole. History has repeatedly shown that when antisemitism is tolerated, normalized, or dismissed, other forms of hatred and extremism are rarely far behind. Every Ontarian has a stake in ensuring that hate is confronted early, consistently, and without hesitation. 

“While progress has been made, the reality remains that many Jewish Ontarians continue to face harassment, intimidation, and threats. Community institutions continue to shoulder significant security costs. Extremist activity remains a serious concern, and many families continue to question whether existing laws are being applied consistently and effectively. 

“As legislators return to their communities this summer, our expectation is that the momentum generated during this session continues. Public safety, school accountability, and the fight against antisemitism cannot be treated as temporary priorities that receive attention only when incidents dominate the headlines.

“Every Ontarian deserves to live, learn, worship, and participate in public life free from fear. Protecting that principle requires vigilance, leadership, and sustained action, not only from governments, but from all those who care about the kind of province we want to build together.” 

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