‘We’ve got your back’: province announces $1M for security upgrades at places of worship Move comes after recent vandalism at synagogue, mosque By: Scott Billeck Posted: 3:07 PM CST Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 Last Modified: 5:32 PM CST Monday, Jan. 19, 2026 Updates

The province has launched a new funding stream to help faith-based organizations strengthen security following a series of hate-fuelled incidents targeting synagogues and mosques in Winnipeg.

The NDP government announced a $1-million program Monday to deliver immediate funding for security upgrades at religious and cultural institutions facing threats of hate crimes.

Premier Wab Kinew said the funding will be available provincewide, with organizations also able to draw on the expertise of Dave Dalal, a former Winnipeg police officer, who will offer tailored advice on security measures.

“I want to make it very clear… when somebody commits a hate crime, they’re committing a crime against all of us as Manitobans,” Kinew said at a news conference at Congregation Shaarey Zedek. “There is no place for hate in our society.”

The synagogue was the target of hate-inspired graffiti earlier this year, when swastikas were scrawled onto the building at 561 Wellington Cres.

A 34-year-old Winnipeg man, Oliver Didtger Ederhof, is accused of the graffiti at Shaarey Zedek, along with similar incidents at Abu Bakr Al-Siddique mosque and community centre, Kelvin High School and the entrance to Munson Park on Wellington Crescent.

He has been charged with 14 counts of mischief under $5,000 — obstruct the enjoyment of property for an alleged spray-painting spree between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Jan. 2.

“A message to our Jewish community here in Manitoba: we’ve got your back,” Kinew said. “At the same time, I also want to speak to Manitoba’s Muslims here. We have recently seen some very ugly forms of hatred expressed towards you and some very nasty forms of vandalism targeting your religious institutions. I also want to say we’ve got your back and we’re very much committed to action.”

“A message to our Jewish community here in Manitoba: we’ve got your back.”

The announcement was well received in the Jewish community.

“The funding announced today is a step in the right direction,” said Fanny Levy, president of Congregation Shaarey Zedek. “It is especially meaningful following the first recorded act of hate in 2026 in our province, which occurred at our congregation. It sends an important message that hate will not be tolerated and, just as importantly, that communities affected by hate are not alone.”

Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs Manitoba and Saskatchewan vice-president Gustavo Zentner said the need is serious, and the current climate demands decisive action.

“We’re asking for governments to collaborate at all levels, to engage with law enforcement, and make sure the law is applied to the fullest extent,” he said.

Zentner said he would like to see effective educational programs implemented, especially in the face of rising antisemitism on social media through misinformation and the use of AI images and videos.

Rena Secter Elbaze, executive director at the synagogue, said they’ve spent around $250,000 on security infrastructure in recent years.

They’ve also spent money on security guards for prayer services and other events, forking out anywhere from $1,800 to $2,500 per event for police officers, as well as private security every weekend that costs several hundred dollars.

“It would be wonderful if some of this money could be made available retroactive towards what we invested,” she said.

The province said it is looking at retroactive reimbursements.

Elbaze said the synagogue is considering strengthening security in its parking lot, including installing bollards, along with upgrading its windows.

Noris Zeid, a member of the board of directors at the Manitoba Islamic Association, said the funding announcement is a welcome development for the Muslim community.

“Some of the mosques are lacking in security… so we’re happy the province is putting money up because there are a lot of things happening in the world,” Zeid said. “The money is going to go a long way.”

Zeid said the Manitoba Islamic Association Grand Mosque at 2445 Waverley St. has already been exploring ways to improve security, including enhanced lighting around the building, upgrades to doors and the addition of more security cameras.

They are also looking to install a buzzer system for secure doors, as several programs operate out of the mosque, including a daycare.

“This is always a big concern in our mind,” Zeid said. “For our members, our staff and everybody, we want to make sure that their security is paramount.”

He added that security cameras are also being installed at a couple of locations outside Winnipeg.

Zeid noted one positive outcome of the recent incidents is that they have brought people together across both the Muslim and Jewish communities. He added that he spoke with Shaarey Zedek senior Rabbi Carnie Rose following the vandalism.

“All organizations, we know that if there’s hate against one, then there’s hate against all,” Zeid said, noting support has increased after the incidents.

“We know that if there’s hate against one, then there’s hate against all.”

Rose echoed the same sentiment.

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“As things were happening, you’d think people would fall away from participation,” Rose said. “It’s been exactly the opposite. Our numbers have swelled. People are coming back. People are participating. People are eager to show we are here and we are not going anywhere.”

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe said the money will be doled out on a case-by-case basis, for items like more security cameras, alarms, controlled entry points, training and community-developed security plans.

He said the funds will be available immediately.

“Manitoba is at its best when we look out for one another,” he said. “Everyone deserves to feel safe, and together we’ll make sure they do that.”

scott.billeck@freepress.mb.ca

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

Every piece of reporting Scott produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.