Province investing in community-based solutions to help keep people safe
The Ontario government is investing more than $1.7 million to help stop hate-motivated crimes across the province. The funding will be delivered over two years through the Safer and Vital Communities (SVC) Grant program as part of the province’s plan to promote safe and inclusive communities.
“Acts that incite hatred, fear and intimidation have no place in our communities,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “That is why our government is making additional investments to help combat the rise in hate crime and support community-based organizations that are working to address the root causes of hate in all its forms.”
The SVC Grant is open to community-based, not-for-profit organizations and First Nation Band Councils. The theme of this year’s grant is Preventing Hate-Motivated Crime Through Community Collaboration with a focus on cultural, ethnic and faith-based hate in communities that have experienced an increase in hate-motivated crime. Applicants are required to partner with their local police service and are encouraged to partner with at least one other organization from a different sector to ensure a broad range of community engagement.
“The Ottawa Police Service is pleased to join the Ontario government in announcing the call for applications for the Safer and Vital Communities Grant,” said Ottawa Police Service Chief Eric Stubbs. “The theme for this year’s grant is especially timely as we are seeing an increase in hate crime and hate-motivated incidents in Ottawa. We encourage anyone who has experienced a hate crime or hate-motivated incident to report it to their local authorities. Hate has no place in our communities, and I believe this grant will help combat hate crimes and hate-motivated incidents.”
The 2024-26 SVC Grant builds on the Ontario government’s $20.5 million investment through the Ministry of Citizenship and Multiculturalism to combat antisemitism and Islamophobia.
“There is zero tolerance for hate, racism and discrimination in Ontario,” said Michael Ford, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “Our government continues to be focused on taking action to address the disturbing rise in hate incidents and build a stronger Ontario where everyone feels safe and protected. The Safer and Vital Communities Grant will help empower communities to work together to combat hate, keep communities safe and foster a more inclusive and welcoming province for all.”
Successful applicants for the SVC Grant will receive up to $85,000 for each of the two years to combat hate crime. Applications for the SVC Grant will be available in late January through Transfer Payment Ontario. The deadline for applications is February 26, 2024.
Quick Facts
- In 2022, there were 1,721 incidents of police-reported hate crimes, which is almost a 20 per cent increase from 2021.
- Since 2021, the Ontario government has allocated a total of $86 million in grants and programs to protect faith and cultural communities.
- In November 2023, the Ontario government introduced the Enhancing Access to Justice Act, 2023 that will, if passed, make it easier for more victims of crime to sue an offender for emotional distress.
- The Ontario government is helping to prevent repeat and violent offenders from committing serious crimes while out on bail. The $24 million investment will help police services establish dedicated bail compliance and/or warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals and support new technology for a provincewide bail compliance monitoring system.
- Ontario is fighting auto theft by investing $51 million to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks and put thieves behind bars. This includes $18 million in new and enhanced crime-fighting measures focused on prevention, detection, analysis and enforcement.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
