QUESTION PERIOD — National Revenue
Charities Directorate
April 30, 2026
Government leader, we are deeply troubled by reports that anti‑Semitic organizations are attempting to misuse Canada’s charitable framework to target Jewish Canadians, including efforts to strip 11 Jewish schools of their charitable status. These are institutions that have served families and provided education within communities for many years. Jewish Canadians have been looking for clarity and assurances from the government.
Can you confirm that the Canada Revenue Agency, or CRA, will apply the law fairly and reject these baseless accusations and complaints that are coming from anti-Semitic hate groups?
Thank you for the question, Senator Housakos.
The CRA undertakes an independent process, free from political interference. You agree with that. The CRA does not select registered charities for audit based on factors such as faith or denomination. Nonetheless, the government outlined in the Spring Economic Update 2026 that it will be reviewing the Charities Directorate to modernize it and make it more efficient. The CRA is mindful of the risk of bias, and the Charities Directorate has taken steps to reduce bias in decision making, including through formal tracking and review processes to ensure impartiality.
Thank you, government leader, for that answer.
Of course, the community is aware that the government is undertaking a review, and that’s why they want to make sure that these baseless accusations that come from these hate groups do not seep into the political considerations that might invariably be taken under consideration.
I want to make sure that the current government does not allow diaspora politics and geopolitical conflicts in other parts of the world to influence these important decisions for the community.
Thank you for this consideration.
Yes, I totally agree with the premise of your question, which is more of an intervention than a question. I reiterate that anti-Semitism in any form whatsoever is totally unacceptable here in Canada.
