Federal government allocates up to $145M for World Cup security in Toronto, Vancouver

The federal government says it will provide up to $145 million to support security operations during FIFA World Cup matches scheduled this summer in Toronto and Vancouver.

According to a Public Safety Canada news release, the funding responds to “specific operational needs identified by the host provinces and cities,” where 13 matches are set to take place in June and July as part of the tournament co-hosted by Canada, the United States and Mexico.

The federal government says the funding is intended to reduce financial pressure on municipal and provincial governments while ensuring law enforcement and public safety agencies have the resources required to manage large-scale events.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said in the release the World Cup represents one of the most complex sporting events Canada has hosted, citing the scale of security coordination required across jurisdictions.

Ottawa has previously committed up to $320 million toward hosting costs for the tournament. The latest funding is targeted specifically at security-related expenses tied to event operations.