Ottawa/CMEDIA: $10 million is reportedly being earmarked by the Canada Govt to help Jewish communities bolster security at their gathering places after three Toronto-area synagogues were struck with gunfire in recent days.
Dispensed through the federal Canada Community Security Program, the money is meant to help protect Jewish places of worship, schools, child care centres, overnight camps and other institutions.
Organizations at risk of hate-motivated crimes are being offered money by the program for security equipment and hardware, such as protective barriers and window and door reinforcements.
This funding would also be used to develop security assessments and emergency plans, training staff to respond to hate-motivated events and hiring licensed security personnel.
Applications for the program are accepted year-round.
Following attacks on military targets in Iran by the United States and Israel, which killed the country’s leader, the shootings at synagogues happened.
in response, Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel and Gulf states that host U.S. military personnel.
“Canada’s Jewish community is anxious, fearful — and those feelings are quite justified,” Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree told a news conference Wednesday.
“These were assaults on the Jewish community and the right of Jewish Canadians to live and pray in safety. When you attack a synagogue, you attack all places of worship. When you attack a single group of Canadians, and in this case, Jewish Canadians, you attack all Canadians. You attack the very fabric of our society.”
The federal government will use “every tool available” to confront antisemitic violence and hatred and protect places of worship, Anandasangaree added.
Toronto and York Regional police are being supported by the Federal agencies, including the RCMP, as they work to identify the perpetrators, he said.
“Make no mistake, they will be held to account.”
$10 million will help coordinate monitoring and safety at Jewish institutions, as well as projects supported through these organizations.
The government says it is working directly with Jewish organizations to identify and support the specific needs in communities.
Canada says the $10 million will help co-ordinate monitoring and safety at Jewish institutions, as well as projects supported through these organizations.
The government says it is working directly with Jewish organizations to identify and support the specific needs in communities.
