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