Dundurn, Sask., man charged with mischief in egging of Saskatoon synagogue

Dundurn, Sask., man charged with mischief in egging of Saskatoon synagogue

City police say 31-year-old faces 3 counts in connection with Aug. 1 vandalism

A man from Dundurn, Sask., is facing mischief charges in connection with vandalism against a Saskatoon synagogue, city police say.

The 31-year-old is charged with three counts of mischief under $5,000.

The incident happened at the Congregation Agudas Israel synagogue during a prayer service on Aug. 1. Police said last week that a man threw eggs at multiple vehicles and sections of the building.

Investigators released a photo of the suspect taken from a surveillance camera outside the building.

Saskatoon synagogue vandalized during prayer service

Public tips helped identify a suspect, and arrangements were made for him to turn himself in to police headquarters on Thursday, police said in a Friday news release.

He was subsequently released on conditions pending a first court appearance.

The Saskatoon police hate crimes unit was part of the investigation, but the suspect is not charged with any hate crimes, the release said.

“In Canada, ‘hate crime’ is generally used as an umbrella term, not a specific charge under the Criminal Code," Supt. James Oliver said in the release.

Saskatoon police release photo, seek help identifying man who vandalized synagogue

"Any evidence that an offence was motivated by bias, prejudice, or hate is considered by the court as an aggravating factor during sentencing.”

The Criminal Code does contain a subsection that refers specifically to hate-motivated mischief committed against "a building or structure, that is primarily used for religious worship — including a church, mosque, synagogue or temple."

In an emailed response to a request for clarification from CBC News, a police spokesperson said the charges laid by police were "based on the evidence available at the time" but could be amended later by the prosecution "should they find the evidence supports it."

Rabbi Claudio Jodorkovsky told CBC News last week that having the vandalism happen in broad daylight is concerning.

"We have to be cautious, but we have to trust that Saskatoon is a safe place for the Jewish community, " Jodorkovsky said.

According to Statistics Canada, 70 per cent of police-reported hate crimes targeting religious groups in 2024 were directed at the Jewish community.