CIJA

CIJA Welcomes Increased Security Support in Spring Economic Statement  CIJA CEO @nshack issued the following statement:  “We welcome the government’s strengthening of the Canada Community Security Program – more than doubling its funding allocation over five years from $60M to $135M. This is a significant step forward in safeguarding Canada’s Jewish community. We also recognize Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree for his leadership in working directly with our community across the country. “Since the Hamas-led massacre of October 7, threats targeting our community have continued to escalate. Canada’s security agencies have warned that a violent attack against the Jewish community is a realistic possibility in the coming months. It’s essential that government programs evolve to meet this challenge head-on. “Today’s announcement, together with the recent $10 million in emergency funding for the Jewish community, represents Canada’s most substantial investment in community security to date. These investments are essential for the future of Jewish life in this country, helping community institutions that are increasingly forced to divert resources away from education, social services, and childcare to meet urgent security needs. “At the same time, Canadians should not accept a future where some communities must build higher walls while hate and extremism go unchecked. “That is why we continue to call on governments and law enforcement to confront the sources of the serious threats we face – by countering the foreign interference fuelling radicalization, strengthening measures against the promotion of terrorism, and ensuring that existing laws are consistently enforced and offenders held to account.”

The Toronto Police Service Board is calling for an independent inspection into claims of antisemitism outlined in a former inspector's book.  Board chair Councillor Shelley Carroll said that “Residents should never have to question whether they’ll be treated fairly because of who they are or what community they belong to. People need confidence that policing in Toronto is professional, impartial, and free from bias.” Click here to read the full article in our bio, and CIJA's response from VP Michelle Stock: torontosun.com/news/local-new…

Platforming extremist voices that support terrorism, without consequences, has led to unacceptable and intolerable violence around the world. The individual who was due to speak as a keynote presenter at the Muslim Association of Canada's conference this weekend, was reportedly denied entry to Canada, after failing to disclose a previous U.S. visa rejection. This is not the first time that this annual conference has platformed extreme voices, with other controversial speakers still expected to appear this weekend. Dangerous rhetoric has real-world consequences. This is a matter of public safety that should concern all Canadians. You can read more here: nationalpost.com/opinion/first-…

A Jewish Torontonian is now 14 times more likely to experience a hate incident than any other resident of Toronto, according to the 2025 Toronto Hate Crime Data. Yet statistics alone cannot capture the reality facing the Jewish community. Since February, Toronto and the broader GTA have seen a disturbing escalation in both the frequency and severity of antisemitic attacks. Synagogues have been targeted with gunfire, Jewish-owned businesses have been vandalized and shot at, and individuals have been assaulted in public simply for appearing visibly Jewish. In response to the findings, VP Michelle Stock, said: "Jewish Canadians are being targeted simply for who they are. No one should have to think twice about wearing a kippah, attending synagogue, sending their children to Jewish schools, or participating openly in Jewish life." Click here to read our full release: cija.ca/_this_normaliz…

A disgraceful day at the CLC, with anti-Israel activists passing a symbolic resolution that accomplishes nothing (CLC has no formal relationship with Israeli labour). Jewish Canadians have been proud members of Canada’s labour movement since its inception, but actions like this leave Jewish members feeling unrepresented. Union leaders should focus on the crucial issues facing their rank and file members, rather than on extreme and meaningless motions like this that only serve to divide. You can read the CJLC's full statement here: canadianjlc.ca/cjlc_condemns_…

CIJA's VP, Pacific Region, @nicoslobinsky made the following statement after the City of Vancouver's recent ruling from its integrity commissioner: "At a time when Jewish Vancouverites are experiencing increased hostility and antisemitism, words matter. Councillor Sean Orr has yet to show accountability for past social media posts, including claiming that city planners were controlled by a "secret cabal of Jews," and calling for the "destruction of both Israel and Canada." "Councillor Orr must take responsibility and retract his past statements, explain his actions, publicly apologize, and commit to learning about the harm he has created."

Tonight, on Yom Yerushalayim/Jerusalem Day, we celebrate the liberation of Jerusalem — the eternal capital of the Jewish people. Jews regained access to our holiest sites, including the Western Wall, after years of exclusion and division. In today’s Jerusalem, the rites and freedom of worship of all faiths are respected and encouraged. Jerusalem is not only central to Jewish history; it is central to Jewish identity itself. Am Yisrael Chai

Last month, Global News reported that ISIS recruiter Ashton Larmond was released from prison, even while the Parole Board of Canada acknowledged that he remains ideologically committed and assessed him as likely to reoffend. In their latest op-ed for @TheHubCanada, Ches Parsons and @sherylsap examine the legislative options available to Parliament to help ensure this never happens again — and to prevent other high-risk extremists from being released into the public.

Important reporting by the @globeandmail on @theCC07's findings about Hamas’ systematic use of sexual violence as a deliberate weapon during the October 7 terrorist attacks and against hostages in Gaza. As lead author @CochavElkayam makes clear, this is about justice for survivors and victims’ families, and governments around the world, including Canada’s, have a responsibility to acknowledge these crimes. It is also another stark reminder that the safety of both Israelis and Palestinians depends on a future free from Hamas. Read the Globe's coverage and the full report: theglobeandmail.com/world/article-…… civilc.org/silenced-no-mo…

A menorah is not just a symbol — it is a visible expression of Jewish life, identity, and belonging in Canada. Attempts to damage, intimidate, or erase those symbols are about more than property destruction; they are attempts to push Jews out of public life and make our community feel unsafe being visibly Jewish. We appreciate the work of the Toronto Police Service, including the Hate Crime Unit, in investigating this incident and arresting the suspect. We expect that this individual will be held accountable. From synagogues to schools to public displays of Jewish identity, blatant attacks against the Jewish community are becoming more frequent and more brazen. This normalization cannot continue. Jewish communities must be able to live openly, safely, and proudly across Canada.

In the latest escalation against Jewish community life, hateful activists have launched a campaign to flood the Canada Revenue Agency with complaints about Jewish schools. The public targeting of these institutions has severe consequences on Jewish families, especially in the current climate of rising antisemitism and attacks on our community spaces. Help us send a message to Canada Revenue Agency’s leadership. Tell them that the agency must not allow its complaint process to be manipulated by those who would weaponize our institutions to target Canadians. You can take action here: actionhub.ca/alert/cra/

In a powerful new piece from Beth Tzedec's Rabbi Steve Wernick, he highlights the work of CIJA’s Legal Task Force and the urgent fight against antisemitism in Canada. “When schools, universities, unions and public bodies fail to protect the people they serve, our Legal Task Force has stepped up.” Over the last three years, more than 400 volunteer legal experts have helped defend over 1,000 Jewish students, parents and workers facing discrimination. Read the full piece here: blogs.timesofisrael.com/the-mountain-d… Click here to learn more about CIJA's legal taskforce and access pro-bono legal services: cija.ca/ltf

Yesterday, CIJA was at City Hall for the City of Montreal’s proclamation marking Jewish Heritage Month. We would like to thank the various elected officials who spoke at the event. The Jewish community of Quebec has been a part of this province for over 250 years and has contributed greatly to making Montreal the city we all cherish. We are proud to be an integral part of Quebec society and to uphold the values we share as Canadians. Whether in terms of culture, architecture, heritage, gastronomy, or the economy, the Jewish community’s legacy to Montreal and Montrealers is immense.

Last week, Jewish community leaders from the GTA travelled to Ottawa to raise their voices on Parliament Hill as we fight back against extremism in Canada. "We need to rebuild a Canada where everyone can live in safety and without fear." Hear from CIJA's CEO @nshack on the unflinching resolve that is required to confront the threats targeting our community and all Canadians.

The latest campaign against Jewish schools is a new low in the ongoing efforts by extremists to weaponize the CRA’s complaint system against Canadians. As our SVP and General Counsel, Richard Marceau, shared with @TheTorontoSun, this is about the future of Jewish life in Canada. That’s why we’re engaging directly with the CRA to stand up for our community and for the integrity of a system that all Canadians depend on. You can read more here: torontosun.com/news/national/… You can also read CIJA's open letter on the matter here: cija.ca/letter_to_cana…

In a special op-ed in @TheHubCanada, Liat Schwartz shares why she's taking legal action against TMU: so that future generations of Jewish students do not inherit a culture of fear, silence, and lowered expectations. CIJA’s Legal Task Force is proud to support Liat's case as part of our efforts to ensure Canadian universities are inclusive, safe, and accountable for all students. thehub.ca/2026/05/07/why…

There are only a few days left to fill out the 2026 Census.  Why does this matter? Because when Jewish Canadians are undercounted, our community is underrepresented in public policy, funding decisions, and resources for vital priorities like fighting antisemitism and strengthening community security. If you were one of 25% of Canadians to receive the long-form census, here are the two questions that matter most to our community: - Question 23 (Ethnicity) - Question 30 (Religion) You can write “Jewish” in - Question 23, Question 30, or both—whatever best reflects your identity. - For Question 23, you may list multiple identities (e.g., Jewish and Moroccan, Jewish and Russian). Please complete your census, and encourage your friends, family, and networks to do the same. Every response strengthens our collective voice. For assistance, go to: census.gc.ca — Welcome to the 2026 Census.

On behalf of the CIJA team, we extend our deepest condolences to Abe Foxman’s family and our colleagues at the @ADL. Abe’s leadership in the fight against hate and antisemitism left a profound impact far beyond the United States. He will be remembered as a voice of moral clarity, courage, and unwavering conviction. May his memory be a blessing.