SURREY, February 29, 2008 - The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today announced funding of $28,473 to the Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) through the Security Infrastructure Pilot (SIP) Program in an effort to assist them in enhancing their security infrastructure.
"Last July, I announced $3 million in funding for the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Pilot Program," said Minister Day. "This announcement demonstrates our government's leadership in protecting the right of all Canadians to live in a society where every citizen will feel safe in their community."
"We are fortunate as a country to enjoy peace and stability and embrace the many cultures of the world," said the Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity). "This pilot program strives to preserve the values and freedoms of all Canadians and will help to ensure a greater sense of security to ethnic and religious communities."
The Progressive Intercultural Community Services Society (PICS) located in Surrey, British Columbia, promotes harmony and intercultural understanding for the purpose of building a more inclusive and mutually respectful society. The organization also provides services to the Punjabi Sikh and South Asian communities to assist in securing employment and full participation in Canadian society.
In addition to this project, the SIP Program has also approved funding for 10 organizations within Muslim and Jewish communities across Canada.
The SIP Program is a two-year pilot program intended to help defray the costs of security infrastructure enhancements including:
- security assessments (not to exceed 25% of total project costs) ;
- security equipment and hardware, such as alarm systems, closed-circuit televisions, fences, gates, lighting, intercom systems;
- minor construction costs related to the project, such as contractor fees, labour, equipment rental, installation fees; and
- training costs for the use of new security equipment.
Funding is still available and another intake of applications is set for April 15, 2008.
Eligible organizations include not-for-profit community centres, provincially recognized educational institutions, and places of worship that are clearly linked to a community with a demonstrated history of being victimized by hate-motivated crime.
Officials from Public Safety Canada are available to provide information to interested organizations and continue to encourage potential applicants to submit their proposals.
Please refer to the Public Safety Web site for details on how organizations can apply for funding and for information about other funded projects.
Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863
