Toronto religious centres get security funding

Several religious centres in Toronto will receive federal funding to help protect their communities against hate crimes.

Public Safety Minister Vic Toews announced almost $90,000 in government funding Monday morning for security infrastructure for six religious organizations in the Toronto area:

• Shaarei Shomayim Congregation.
• Beth Tzedec Congregation.
• Chabad of Midtown.
• Shomrai Shabbos-Chevrah Mishnayos Congregation.
• Temple Sinai Congregation of Toronto.
• Associated Hebrew Schools Toronto — Posluns.

Toews said he wants to ensure that vulnerable communities are able to protect themselves against hate-crime incidents.

The funding is part of a $3-million, three-year program called the Security Infrastructure Pilot program, which was created in 2007.

The program provides funding for security enhancements for not-for-profit centres, educational institutions and places of worship linked to a community with a history of being victimized by hate-motivated crime.

The eligible costs include such things as security assessments, security equipment and hardware and training costs.

The announcement comes almost two weeks after the Conservative government announced funding for three other religious centres in Toronto whose communities were the targets of hate crime.