Today, the Honourable Jim Carr, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre and Minister of Natural Resources, on behalf of the Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced more than $10,300 in federal funding to the Congregation Shaarey Zedek under the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP).

“Recent incidents are a jarring reminder that the inclusive and generous Canada we all want is now, and ever will be, a precious and delicate work-in-progress that we dare not take for granted. The Security Infrastructure Program is an important initiative to help protect all Canadians' right to be free to practice their faith and culture without fear. There is no social license for hate, not in Canada.”

—     The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

“I welcome this funding to improve security installation for the Congregation Shaarey Zedek as it will make the members of the Congregation and our entire community feel safer.”

—    The Hounourable Jim Carr, Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South Centre and Minister of Natural Resources

“On behalf of Congregation Shaarey Zedek I would like to extend our gratitude to the Government of Canada for the funding that we have received through the Communities at Risk: Securities Infrastructure program. This funding will enable us to meet the increasing challenges of security and safety for all who attend our Synagogue.”

Lorne Weiss, President, Congregation Shaarey Zedek

• The Security Infrastructure Program is designed to help communities at risk of hate-motivated crime improve their security infrastructure, which will help make Canada safer for all Canadians.

• Funding is available to not-for-profit organizations linked to a community at risk of being victimized by hate-motivated crime. Approved projects may receive up to 50% of total project costs, to a maximum of $100,000 per project.

• In December 2016, important improvements were made to make the program more responsive to the needs of communities. This includes considering a wider range of security measures as eligible for funding (for example, improvements both inside and outside facilities) and reaching out to ensure diverse community organizations are aware of the available funding. Additionally, changes to the application process ensure that funding decisions are provided to applicants within four months of the close of each call for proposal.

• Interested organizations representing places of worship, provincially and territorially recognized schools, and community centers can apply annually from December 1st to January 31st and from June 1st to July 31st through Public Safety Canada’s website, to obtain the application kit and related information.

Associated Links

• Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program

Scott Bardsley
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca