Ontario Increasing Supports to Improve Community Safety in Whitby
October 24, 2023
WHITBY – The Ontario Government is helping more communities combat racism and hate by doubling its investment in the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant Program. The grant will provide $25.5 million over two years to combat hate in Ontario, and build stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities. This will help ensure faith-based and cultural organizations have safe and secure community spaces to practice their faith or express their cultures and beliefs.
Three Whitby organizations will receive $10,000 in funding through the first round of the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant program:
- Chabad Jewish Centre of Durham Region
- Whitby Christian Alliance Church
- The Salvation Army Whitby Community Church
The grant provides up to $10,000 to help religious groups, Indigenous communities and cultural communities better protect and secure their facilities from hate-motivated incidents, graffiti, vandalism or other damage. Grant funding can be used for things such as building upgrades, enhancing locks, installing cameras, training staff, completing security assessments, introducing safer cybersecurity measures, hiring short-term professional security personnel and making repairs.
Since 2021, the government has allocated $40 million through the Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations. The redesigned Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant will now cover the cost of additional prevention and capacity building measures and allows for more organizations to apply.
Everyone in Ontario deserves to be safe in their communities,” said Lorne Coe, MPP for Whitby and Parliamentary Assistant to the Premier. “We have a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to hate and these grants will help provide safe and secure areas so that people can worship in peace. We will continue to protect people living in the Region of Durham and other parts of this province.”
QUOTES
“The Jewish community is very thankful for the Ontario government and MPP Coe for helping us upgrade our security system so we can practice our faith in a safe and secure environment.”
Rabbi Tzali Borenstein, Chabad of Durham Region
“We are grateful for this assistance in securing our property, in service to the Durham Region, as a safe place to worship Jesus Christ!”
Rev. Roger Malcolm, Senior Pastor, Whitby Christian Assembly
“The Salvation Army has always served without discrimination. We endeavour to meet the need whenever need presents itself. In these days of uncertainty, it’s very important to serve without discrimination without hate. The Salvation Army in Whitby is very pleased and honoured to be receiving this grant of $10,000 and these funds will enable The Salvation Army and Whitby to continue serving without discrimination. Keeping all who come within our sphere of influence in safety and security, clients, volunteers, staff, and worshipers. Thank you for this generous gift.”
Ken Percy, Major, The Salvation Army
Quick Facts
- Indigenous, Black, Muslim, Jewish and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities have been among the most targeted groups of hate crimes in recent years. There were more than 1,500 police-reported hate crimes in Ontario in 2021.
- The Ontario Grant to Support Anti-Hate Security Measures for Faith-Based and Cultural Organizations provided funding to more than 1,200 faith-based and cultural organizations to protect communities against hate.
- Ontario invested an additional $1.6 million in the Anti-Racism Anti-Hate Grant to support 24 additional projects. Through this grant, the Province has supported a total of 82 community projects to increase public education and awareness of the impacts of racism and hate.
- The Ontario government is investing more than $1.5 million through the 2022-2024 Safer and Vital Communities Grant program. This funding will help 17 community-based, not-for-profit organizations and First Nations Chiefs and Band Councils, support projects that prevent online hate crime, human trafficking and fraud.