Security Infrastructure Program expanded to help protect communities at risk of hate crimes

From: Public Safety Canada

News release

May 16, 2019
Ottawa, Ontario
Public Safety Canada

Canadians have the right to be free to practice their faith and culture without fear. Preserving a safe, inclusive society requires constant work and vigilance. That’s why the Government of Canada helps communities implement measures to protect against hate-motivated crimes through the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP).

Today, the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, the Honourable Ralph Goodale, announced new and expanded eligible costs covered by the program.

The list of eligible expenditures under SIP has been expanded to include up to $10,000 for basic training for staff and others as appropriate to respond to a hate-motivated incident.

The existing list of physical infrastructure upgrades will now include security enhancements for doors, windows, intercoms and public address systems, as well as minor renovations to enhance security. These changes will be reflected in the next application period for SIP, which launches June 1, 2019.

Minister Goodale also highlighted that the Government of Canada has quadrupled its funding to the program as part of its ongoing commitment to helping religious and cultural organizations better protect themselves against hate-motivated crimes. As committed in Budget 2019, $4 million per year is available, until 2022.

Quotes

“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. We have listened to the concerns of communities at risk of hate and have responded by adapting the Security Infrastructure Program to better meet their needs. We will continue to protect all Canadians’ right to be free to practice their faith and culture without fear. There is no social licence for hate, not in Canada.”

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

Quick facts

  • In 2017, police reported an increase of 47% in criminal incidents in Canada that were motivated by hate. Incidents targeting the Muslim, Jewish, and Black populations accounted for most of the national increase. Hate crimes targeting religious groups increased by 83%, with incidents committed against the Muslim community increasing the most, by 151%. 

  • SIP 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 per cent of total project costs, to a maximum of $100,000 per project. Eligible organizations that have multiple locations may now apply for projects at each of their sites, rather than being limited to one project per year.

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

Associated links

Contacts

Scott Bardsley
Manager of Media and Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
ps.mediarelations-relationsaveclesmedias.sp@canada.ca

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