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The province is creating a new grant program to address incidents of hate toward religious and minority groups.
The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant makes funding available for faith-based and cultural organizations to protect their facilities with security measures.
Twenty-five-and-a-half million dollars will be available over the next two years.
Citizenship and Multiculturalism Minister Michael Ford says it is to help address the rise of hate incidents against religious and minority communities.
“This will help provide religious groups and indigenous and cultural communities in all corners of our province with up to $10,000 in direct funding. Funding that could be used to enhance and implement security measures to make sure they have a safe and secure facility to practice their faith, showcase their culture, and express their beliefs,” says Ford.
The latest statistics show there were more than 1,500 police-reported hate crimes in Ontario in 2021.
Indigenous, Black, Muslim, Jewish and 2SLGBTQQIA+ are among the most targeted groups.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner says everyone deserves to be safe in their communities.
“Our message is clear. We’re going to stand up to hate and to stand up to intolerance, and to stand up for Ontario. Hate has no home in Ontario. Hate is toxic to our democracy and the fabric of who we are. And today, we are taking steps to stamp it out,” says Kerzner.
The government will begin accepting applications this summer.