Federal funds for Sikh Society of Calgary help improve security from hate-motivated crimes

CALGARY, Sept. 10, 2018 /CNW/ - Canadians have the right to be free to practice their faith and culture without fear. Today, Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre, on behalf of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced over $79,000 in federal funding provided to the Sikh Society of Calgary under the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP). 

This funding supported recent security upgrades to the Gurdwara, the community's place of worship. The upgrades included the installation of a Closed Circuit TV system, an alarm system, exterior security and flood lighting, as well as the construction of fences and gates to ensure that community members can practise their activities peacefully.

Quotes

"The funding provided to the Sikh Society of Calgary means greater peace of mind and a safer and more secure Gurdwara, for the community. The Security Infrastructure Program is an important initiative to help protect all Canadians' right to be free to practise their faith and culture without fear. There is no place for these crimes in Canada. There is no social license for hate, not in Canada."

- Kent Hehr, Member of Parliament for Calgary Centre

"The Sikh Society of Calgary is very grateful to be receiving the Security Infrastructure Program contribution from the Government of Canada. This grant is very valuable in helping to protect targeted communities who are at risk of hate crimes. We comment the government for providing financial help to ensure all Canadians are safe and treated fairly."

- Harsukjit Chahal, Board of Trustees Member, Sikh Society of Calgary

Quick Facts

• SIP is designed to help communities at risk of hate-motivated crime improve their security infrastructure, which will help make Canada safer for all Canadians.
• Budget 2017 doubled SIP investments by committing additional funding of $5 million over five years, for a total investment of up to $10 million until 2022. Each year, $2 million will be available to support not-for-profit organizations to make needed security improvements.
• Funding is available to not-for-profit organizations linked to a community at risk of being victimized by hate-motivated crime. Approved projects may receive up to 50 per cent of total project costs, to a maximum of $100,000 per project.
• Interested organizations representing places of worship, provincially and territorially recognized schools, and community centres can apply annually from December 1st to January 31st and from June 1st to July 31st through Public Safety Canada's website.

Associated Links

• Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada