Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day says Ottawa is providing $216,000 to nine Jewish organizations in Ontario and Alberta to improve security and deter hate crimes.

Organizations had to show they were linked to a community with a demonstrated history of being victimized by hate-motivated crimes to be eligible for the program.

“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 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.