Ontario Takes Steps to Combat Hate-Motivated Crimes

TORONTO — The Ontario government is investing $1.7 million over the next two years in community-based programs to combat hate-motivated crimes. The funding will flow through the Safer and Vital Communities (SVC) Grant  to not-for-profit organizations and First Nation Band Councils. 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.

“Our government has zero tolerance for hate, racism and discrimination in all forms. We must continue to work together to confront these real-life barriers that threaten and limit opportunities for too many Ontarians,” said Sylvia Jones, Solicitor General and Minister Responsible for Anti-Racism. “Effective solutions cannot come from government alone and the Safer and Vital Communities grant will allow community-based organizations to be full partners in the fight against hate in Ontario.”

The Safer and Vital Communities Grant is open to community-based, not-for-profit organizations as well as Indigenous community-based, not-for-profit organizations and First Nation Band Councils to implement local projects that tackle hate-motivated crime and address the increase of police-reported hate crime in Ontario. The theme of this year’s grant program is Preventing Hate-Motivated Crime through Community Collaboration.

To be eligible, applicants must address hate-motivated crime in their community through programs and strategies. Applications could include recreational programs that positively affect the development of children and youth, raising awareness of hate-motivated crimes, as well as the improvement of security infrastructure. Successful applicants and projects will be announced in the winter of 2021.

Applications for the Safer and Vital Communities Grant are open from July 22 to September 16.