Indigenous, Black, Muslim, Jewish and 2SLGBTQQIA+ communities have been among the most targeted groups of hate crimes in recent years. There were more than 2,400 police-reported hate crimes incidents in Ontario in 2023.
Vic Fedeli, MPP for Nipissing has announced that the Ontario government is investing $222,000 in Nipissing through the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant to 29 local faith-based, cultural, and Indigenous communities to implement measures to protect their spaces and ensure they remain safe and secure. Applications are open for the next round of this Grant.
“Our government understands that our faith-based and cultural organizations in our community and across Ontario, have the right to celebrate their cultures without experiencing acts of hate or intimidation,” said MPP Vic Fedeli. “That’s why we are pleased to announce that applications are open for the 2024-25 round of the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant. Grant funding can be used for measures such as hiring security staff, surveillance cameras, security assessments, cybersecurity and building repairs and we encourage our local eligible organization to apply for funding. Previous grant recipients are encouraged to apply again for 2024-25.”
Local funding examples include:
- $20,000 for the Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie
- $15,000 for the Calvin Presbyterian Church
“With gratitude to MPP Vic Fedeli and his office for their grant under the local provincial Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant program,” says Sister Costanza Romano, General Treasurer, The Sisters of St. Joseph of Sault Ste. Marie. “St. Joseph’s Motherhouse is home to members of our congregational family; tenants who live in our 34 seniors’ apartment units; and employs staff members, from various cultures, in various capacities. Through the funds received from the grant, we were able to install an external security system enabling us to see who is on the property and if there is any issue with damage, etc.; a key fob system that provides security to ensure only those who should be in the building are in the building and to ensure safety and a knowledge of who is in the building, in the event of an emergency; a public address system for the North Wing, so that tenants can hear announcements in the event of an emergency. All of these measures ensure the safety and security for our sisters, staff, tenants, as well as the many guests who enter through our doors on a daily basis. In addition, we updated our systems to improve cyber security.”
“At Calvin Presbyterian Church, in addition to our regular church events, each week we share our space with 18-20 community self-help groups involving hundreds of people,” says Keith Pacey, Treasurer of the Calvin Presbyterian Church in North Bay. “We were blessed to receive $15,000, $7,500 from each of the last two Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant rounds which we used to replace one of our oldest outside doors and to upgrade our video security system. Without these funds, these upgrades would have been a huge financial challenge and would not be in place at this time. These changes have helped to provide an even better safe and secure premise for everyone who uses our facility.”
The Anti-Hate Security Prevention Grant application portal opens today and closes on December 2, 2024. The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant provides up to $10,000 to eligible community organizations to help them protect their spaces from hate-motivated incidents, graffiti, vandalism, or other damage. Organizations can review eligibility and apply for funding at Ontario.ca/AHSP.
On November 1st at 10 am, the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism is holding an online information session that will cover grant eligibility and application requirements. Interested organizations can join the meeting via the following link: MS Teams Live Link
Eligible organizations include:
- Religious and spiritual communities (e.g., mosques, synagogues, temples, churches, etc.)
- First Nations, Inuit, Métis, and Indigenous organizations
- Cultural groups (e.g., 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups, Black, Asian and other diverse organizations offering programs, workshops and ceremonies that promote their communities’ cultures)
- A complete list can be found at ca/AHSP
Since 2021, the government has invested a total of $86 million to support over 2,000 faith-based and cultural communities.
