The Ford government’s investing $25.5-million over two-years to help address the rise of hate incidents against religious and minority groups.

”Building on our other investments to combat hate, the new Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant will help build stronger, safer and more inclusive communities and ensure everyone has a safe environment to practice their faith and express their culture and beliefs,” says Citizenship and Multiculturalism Minister Michael Ford.

The grant will provide up to $10,000 to help religious groups, Indigenous and cultural communities better protect their facilities.

The funding can be used for things such as building upgrades, installing cameras, and for hiring of professional security personnel.

There were over 1,500 police-reported hate crimes in Ontario in 2021 with Jewish, Muslim, Black, Indigenous and L-G-B-T-Q communities among the most targeted groups.