AT A TIME OF RISING HATE AND EXTREMISM
Governments at every level have a responsibility to keep Canadians safe. On November 4, the federal government will introduce Budget 2025, an opportunity to invest in the security of targeted communities.
While our Jewish community has stepped up preparedness and resilience, the growing wave of violence and extremism demands stronger action.
Canada needs to substantially increase investment in practical, life-saving measures, including emergency training, professional security personnel, protective technology, and physical barriers.
Tell the government to boost Jewish community security and safeguard Canadians.
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Over the past two years, violent extremism in Canada has intensified, targeting places of worship, schools, and cultural centres. At the centre of this surge are Jewish Canadians, who are 25 times more likely to experience a hate crime than any other Canadian:
- Schools shot at and vandalized.
- Synagogues firebombed, desecrated, and defaced with hate symbols.
- Community centres and Holocaust memorials marked with terrorist slogans.
- Individuals harassed and assaulted simply for being Jewish.
These incidents are clear signals of escalating threats and of the urgent need for security personnel and protective measures that can prevent tragedy.
During the federal election, the current government stated: “increased security costs amidst rising antisemitism should not be borne by the Jewish community alone.” Jewish communities across Canada now spend an estimated $40 million annually on security.
Since 2023, the Canada Community Security Program has helped protect at-risk communities – Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, and others – by funding essential safety measures. But with threats growing, the need is outpacing the support.
In Budget 2025, Canada needs to boost security investments and ensure its programs are easy to access, so every community can be safe.