By Joseph Marshall
A coalition of pro Palestinian advocacy groups has filed a formal complaint with the Canada Revenue Agency seeking to revoke the charitable status of several Jewish day schools in Toronto and Montreal, arguing that aspects of their programming violate federal rules governing charities.
The complaint, submitted April 22, names a number of established institutions. In Toronto, those include TanenbaumCHAT, Bialik Hebrew Day School and Bnei Akiva Schools. In Montreal, the filing identifies Bialik High School, Herzliah High School and Hebrew Academy, among others. All operate as registered charities and form part of the core Jewish education network in their respective cities.
The groups behind the submission include Palestinian and Jewish Unity, the Ontario Palestinian Rights Association, the Canadian Foreign Policy Institute and Just Peace Advocates. In their filing, they argue that certain school activities and programming connected to Israel may run afoul of Canadian charity law, which permits support for Canada’s armed forces but not for foreign militaries.
The complaint cites examples such as guest speakers who have served in the Israeli military, school publications referencing alumni currently in Israel, and educational programming focused on Israeli history and identity. It does not allege direct financial transfers to the Israeli military, but argues that these elements could amount to indirect support or encouragement tied to a foreign armed force.
In parallel, online campaigns have circulated urging members of the public to submit complaints to the CRA and call for audits of the named schools. Some of those campaigns use stronger language, accusing the institutions of promoting Zionism and encouraging students toward military service abroad.
B’nai Brith Canada issued a statement condemning the complaint, describing it as a coordinated effort to target Jewish institutions and pressure families. The organization called on François-Philippe Champagne to publicly reject the complaint and ensure that the tax system is not used to target specific communities.
Under Canadian law, registered charities must operate within defined limits, including restrictions on political activity and prohibitions on supporting foreign militaries. The CRA has the authority to review complaints, conduct audits and, in some cases, revoke charitable status if violations are found. The agency does not comment publicly on specific cases or confirm whether a review has been initiated.
The issue arises in the context of recent scrutiny of charities with connections to Israel. In 2024, the CRA revoked the charitable status of Jewish National Fund Canada, a decision that is currently being challenged in court. That case has heightened attention within the Jewish community around how charity law is being applied to Israel related activities.
At this stage, there is no public confirmation that the CRA has opened formal investigations into the schools named in the complaint. The filing, however, has introduced a new front in ongoing disputes over Israel related advocacy in Canada, shifting the focus from public demonstrations to regulatory action affecting institutions.
