Amid safety warnings, Jewish group lobbies Ottawa for enhanced security funding

Given the recent attacks against Jewish institutions in Canada and the ongoing threat of a violent mass attack, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is urging Ottawa to increase funding for enhanced security in the upcoming Spring Economic Statement. Photo by Peter J. Thompson/National Post

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With the latest warning from Canada’s Integrated Threat Assessment Centre stating that a violent mass attack remains a realistic possibility, the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs is urging Ottawa to increase funding for enhanced security in the upcoming Spring Economic Statement.

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“We’ve seen synagogues and businesses in the community targeted with gunfire recently in Toronto. That builds on the arson attacks and shooting attacks that had taken place previously, targeting synagogues and schools across the country,” says Noah Shack, CIJA’s CEO. “We need systemic change to protect the community.”

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In an April 15 letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, CIJA estimates that annual security costs within Canadian Jewish communities will reach $100 million.

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The letter has been endorsed by more than 80 Jewish federations, community centres, synagogues, camps and schools.

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“Rising security demands are forcing cuts and scaling back services, placing a growing strain on the future of Jewish life across the country,” states the letter. It also harkens back to a Liberal party statement made in the federal election campaign that “increased security costs amidst rising antisemitism should not be borne by the Jewish community alone.”

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However, CIJA estimates that Canada’s per-capita investment in Jewish community security is one-third of the United Kingdom’s and one-quarter of Australia’s.

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Shack raises the tragedy in Bondi Beach, Australia, when a father-son gunmen team killed 15 people including 11 men, 3 women and a 10-year-old girl.

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“Our hope is that we can get vital security measures in place before that happens here in Canada. To be proactive and preventative here,” says Shack.

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Meanwhile, he adds that CIJA is very grateful for efforts that have already been undertaken by national security and local law enforcement agencies, “who have been able to prevent a number of these attacks plotted against our community.”

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The sought-after funds would be channeled through the Canada Community Security Program, which CIJA says is an “essential program (that) 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.”

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There are about 70 Jewish institutions in Montreal, estimates David Cooper, vice president of government relations for CIJA. In Toronto, there is probably double or triple that, he adds.

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He says the $100 million estimate covers infrastructure costs, plus the amount community institutions “are paying for security guards, which has become an expensive endeavour for institutions to take on themselves.”

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He remembers when he went to synagogue and “the doors were open, and we walked in, and nobody thought twice about security. Now, it’s a completely different reality.”

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