Open Letter on Community Security to the Prime Minister

Ahead of the federal government’s Spring Economic Statement, a financial update and a “mini-budget,” which will be delivered on April 28, Jewish Federations and CIJA are ramping up our advocacy efforts to boost community security funding.

We're inviting institutions in our community - synagogues, schools, daycares, camps, community centres, and other organizations - to sign on to the open letter to the Prime Minister.

Read the full letter below and we hope your institution will sign by filling out this form. Only the name of your institution will appear on the joint letter.

Dear Prime Minister Carney,  

We are writing to you on behalf of Jewish Federations across Canada, along with other organizations that make up the fabric of our communities throughout the country.

The latest warning by Canada’s Integrated Threat Assessment Centre that a violent extremist attack remains a realistic possibility underscores the seriousness of the threats our community members are facing. For families sending their children to school, for people coming to pray, for parents sending their children to camp this summer, and for those who rely on our community institutions every day, this is the environment they are navigating.  

The government’s recent announcement of an emergency investment to enhance Jewish community security is a welcome and important step forward. Nevertheless, security demands are escalating at an unprecedented rate. Canadian Jewish communities estimate annual security costs will reach 100 million CAD.  

Funds needed for basic safety of our people are being diverted from education, social services, childcare, and other core programs. Rising security demands are forcing cuts and scaling back services, placing a growing strain on the future of Jewish life across the country. 

As your party rightly said during the last election campaign, “increased security costs amidst rising antisemitism should not be borne by the Jewish community alone.” However, Canada’s per-capita investment in Jewish community security remains one-third that of the United Kingdom and one-quarter that of Australia. We are therefore calling on the Government of Canada to take meaningful action to ensure that Jewish institutions can remain open and safe for the people who rely on them every day.  

We urge you to act decisively in the Spring Economic Statement to significantly increase the Canada Community Security Program, match the funding levels of our peer countries at a per capita level, accelerate reforms to cut red tape and make the program more accessible. This essential program provides life-saving security equipment and measures to safeguard our people. We cannot afford to wait for a mass-casualty attack before taking urgent action to safeguard Canadians.

Will you add your signature?
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, the advocacy agent of Jewish Federations of Canada-UIA, is a national, non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of Jewish life in Canada by advancing the public policy interests of Canada’s organized Jewish community. By clicking "Add Your Signature," you consent to receive periodic updates from CIJA. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Le Centre consultatif des relations juives et israéliennes (CIJA), l'agence de représentation de Fédérations juives du Canada - UIA, est une organisation nationale, non partisane et sans but lucratif qui se consacre à l'amélioration de la qualité de la vie juive au Canada en défendant les intérêts de la communauté juive organisée du Canada en matière de politique publique. En cliquant sur  «  Add Your Signature , »  vous acceptez de recevoir des mises à jour périodiques de CIJA. Vous pouvez vous désabonner à tout moment.
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