Keeping our community secure: Ja'Fari Islamic Housing Corporation to receive federal funding to enhance security

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Oct. 12, 2017 /CNW/ - Today, Leona Alleslev, Member of Parliament for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill, on behalf of the Minister for Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness announced over $13,100 in federal funding to the Ja'Fari Islamic Housing Corporation (Crescent Village Housing) under the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP). 

This funding will support security enhancement projects including the installation of cameras on buildings and in parking lots, as well as provide upgrades to current security infrastructure.

Budget 2017 committed additional funding of $5 million over five years in support of SIP. The program helps communities enhance security infrastructure against hate-motivated crimes.

When combined with existing funding, SIP will invest up to $10 million over the next five years. Each year, $2 million will be available to help support not-for-profit organizations make needed security improvements.

Quotes

"Recent incidents are a jarring reminder that the inclusive and generous Canada we all want is now, and ever will be, a precious and delicate work-in-progress that we dare not take for granted. The Security Infrastructure Program is an important initiative to help protect all Canadians' right to be free to practice their faith and culture without fear. There is no social license for hate, not in Canada."

—     The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"Everyone deserves to feel safe and protected in their home. I am pleased that Ja'Fari Islamic Housing Corporation has received SIP funding not only to protect our residents, but to ensure our community feels safer and more secure."

—   Leona Alleslev, Member of Parliament for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill

"With this funding from our Government, we will be able to install more cameras that will cover all the areas where there are gaps and improve the safety and security of our residents.  We are confident that the residents will feel safer after these additional cameras are installed."

—    Hamida Merchant, Property Manager, Ja'Fari Islamic Housing Corporation

Quick Facts:

• The Security Infrastructure Program is designed to help communities at risk of hate-motivated crime improve their security infrastructure, which will help make Canada safer for all Canadians.
• 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% of total project costs, to a maximum of $100,000 per project.
• In December 2016, important improvements were made to make the program more responsive to the needs of communities. This includes considering a wider range of security measures as eligible for funding (for example, improvements both inside and outside facilities) and reaching out to ensure diverse community organizations are aware of the available funding. Additionally, changes to the application process ensure that funding decisions are provided to applicants within four months of the close of each call for proposal.
• Interested organizations representing places of worship, provincially and territorially recognized schools, and community centers can apply annually from December 1st to January 31st and from June 1st to July 31st through Public Safety Canada's website, to obtain the application kit and related information.

Associated Links

• Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program

SOURCE Correctional Services of Canada

Scott Bardsley, Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, 613-998-5681; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]