Government of Canada helps religious and community organizations in Mount Royal protect themselves against hate-motivated crimes

MONTRÉAL, Sept. 29, 2024 /CNW/ - Everyone who lives in Canada deserves to be and feel safe in their communities. These last few years, we've witnessed a rise in hate incidents experienced by many communities. This is unacceptable, and the federal government is taking action to combat hate and protect communities.

Today, Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Mount Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, announced an investment of $738,992 to enhance security at schools, places of worship and community centres in the Mount Royal riding through the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP).   

Many organizations in the Mount Royal riding shared the $738,992 including The Young Men's and Young Women's Hebrew Association of Montreal and Congregation Chevra Kadisha B'Nai Jacob - Beit Hazikaron, who both received funding from SIP.

On September 24, Minister LeBlanc announced the new  Canada Community Security Program (CCSP), which replaces and enhances the SIP based on communities' feedback. The first Call for Applications launches October 1, 2024.

Eligible measures include security equipment and hardware, minor renovations to enhance security, security and emergency assessments and plans, training to respond to hate-motivated events, and time-limited third-party licensed security personnel.

Organizations that currently have an application under SIP will be contacted by Public Safety to discuss the status of the application and their option to continue under the CCSP.

Organizations interested in staying informed about the upcoming CCSP Call for Applications are encouraged to subscribe to the National Crime Prevention Strategy mailing list.

Quote(s)

"At a time of escalating antisemitism in Canada and around the world it was wonderful to see so many Jewish schools, synagogues and community organizations in my riding receive federal government support under the Security Infrastructure Program to enhance security at their buildings. This program is more vital today than ever before, not only for the Jewish community but for other communities in Canada as well."

- Anthony Housefather, Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Mount Royal, on behalf of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs

"The Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA has needed to enhance its security infrastructure and tighten its procedures, in the wake of renewed hatred and violence towards the Jewish community in recent months. As the Jewish Community Centre of Montreal, open to all, we aim to make every visitor feel safe. The ESIP contribution has also enabled us to fund much-needed security personnel. We are grateful for the support from the Federal Government and at the same time saddened that, in Canada, this intervention is even required."

- The Sylvan Adams YM-YWHA (Jeff Bicher, Executive Director)

Quick Facts

• The SIP was originally established in 2007 to support communities at risk of hate-motivated crime through the enhancement of their security infrastructure. This important work will now continue through the CCSP.
• Since 2007, the Government of Canada has invested over $30 million in over 770 projects to help Canadian communities at risk of hate-motivated crimes protect and strengthen the security of their community centres, places of worship and other institutions.
• The CCSP is one of four programs under the National Crime Prevention Strategy, which supports local, targeted crime prevention initiatives and the development and sharing of knowledge to prevent and reduce crime among at-risk populations and vulnerable communities. The other programs include the Crime Prevention Action Fund, the Youth Gang Prevention Fund, and the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund.
• Budget 2024 provides $273.6 million over six years starting in 2024-25, with $29.3 million ongoing, for Canada's Action Plan on Combatting Hate. The Action Plan will support community outreach and law enforcement reform, tackle the rise in hate crimes and hate incidents, enhance community security, counter radicalization, and increase support for victims. Budget 2024's additional funding for the CCSP is part of the Budget 2024 investment for this first ever whole-of-federal government Action Plan to prevent and address hate.
• The organizations receiving funding are not being named at this time for privacy and security reasons.

Associated Links

• Canada Community Security Program
• Crime Prevention Funding Programs
• Canada's Action Plan on Combatting Hate
• Supporting communities at risk of hate-motivated crime through an expanded Security Infrastructure Program
• Additional $5 million announced to support communities at risk of hate-motivated crimes

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Contacts: Gabriel Brunet, Press Secretary Office of the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, 819-665-6527, [email protected]; Media Relations: Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]