Belleville synagogue members urge Ottawa to boost security funding after shooting

OTTAWA · Members of the Sons of Jacob Synagogue in Belleville, Ont., are calling on the federal government to increase support for community safety programs and counter-radicalization efforts, weeks after a hate-motivated shooting outside their place of worship. Shima Vigodda, the synagogue's vice-president, said the Sept. 20 attack on Yom Kippur has left the community shaken and afraid to return. He spoke at a news conference on Parliament Hill on Monday alongside other advocates. They urged the government to use Thursday's federal budget to invest more in prevention and to make existing security funding more accessible to small communities.

"Hearing the shots, yelling for people to get down, hearing the glass breaking and screams, watching parents hold their children ... I cannot begin to tell you what we as a community in Canada, as a country, very nearly lost that evening," Vigodda said. Belleville's police chief later confirmed the gunman, who had multiple weapons, ammunition and gasoline, had the means and motivation to cause a mass-casualty event had he not been stopped by two police officers. One officer had been stationed outside the synagogue.

Vigodda said before the attack, the congregation believed vandalism was the chief threat. "If you had asked us what we thought our security needs were on Sept. 19, before this all unfolded, what we would have told you is that our priorities were replacing broken windows and installing burglar alarms." He added many congregants feel uncomfortable returning without significant safety measures, which the community cannot afford on its own. The synagogue hopes to invest in bulletproof glass, a safe room and security personnel.

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The Canada Community Security Program helps at-risk communities pay for security enhancements with up to $5 million in funding, but it only covers 70 per cent of costs. Noah Shack, CEO of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, said that requirement is a barrier. "Unfortunately that's not accessible to a lot of these smaller communities," Shack said. He called on the government to waive the 30 per cent community contribution for the program. Shack also urged more investment in counter-radicalization to prevent hate-motivated attacks against Canada's Jewish community.

"Belleville should be the final wake-up call," Shack said at the news conference. "Thursday's federal budget is an opportunity for the government to build on its new national strategy by investing in counter radicalization, intelligence and counterterrorism." Speaking to CBC afterward, Shack acknowledged government progress through legislation like the Combatting Hate Act but said the funding formula must evolve with the increased threat level. Security officials have warned that threats faced by the Jewish community in Canada have reached unprecedented levels, citing white nationalists, online radicalization and threats from Iran.

The Globe and Mail reported last week that security officials are concerned about the speed of radicalization. Some media outlets reported the Belleville shooter, identified as Sean Ward, was active in online forums trafficking in conspiracy theories blaming Jews for the COVID-19 pandemic. Police have not released specific details on his motivations. The shooter arrived at the synagogue as members gathered for Yom Kippur prayers, opened fire on an officer outside yelling, "You are going to die for the Jews," and a gun battle followed. Constable Jeff Smith was wounded and the shooter died the next day. No one inside was hurt.

Douglas Lobel, who was inside the synagogue that evening, said antisemitic flyers appeared in the community afterward and slurs were yelled at people outside. "What makes this more painful is that the warning signs were already there, even in our own community," he said. "Long before Sept. 20, we witnessed Holocaust denial, conspiracy theories about Jewish power and control, and hateful images, and centuries-old stereotypes designed to dehumanize the Jewish people, circulating openly in local social-media groups." Lobel said the government must act swiftly because the next incident could be worse.

The government released a strategy on countering radicalization to violence in 2018, implemented by the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence. The centre has distributed millions in grants, but funding streams appear scheduled to dry up. The Public Safety Department's 2026-27 plan notes the "maturation" of funding for the Canada Centre is linked to the loss of 17 full-time positions. Shack said those in counter-radicalization efforts note a common thread among those susceptible to violent extremism is hatred of Jews. "So we know that in confronting antisemitism, we are getting at the root of a larger problem," he said. Nosy Mag reported in October that Const. Jeff Smith was released from hospital after being shot multiple times while protecting the synagogue.

With files from CBC News and The Globe and Mail