For Immediate Release
Ottawa, ON – Today, the Hon. Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety, announced updates to the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP). In response, David J. Cape, Chair of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), issued the following statement:
“We applaud Minister Goodale for taking steps to modernize the Security Infrastructure Program, which remains a vital program for Jewish schools, synagogues, and community centres struggling with security costs. Today’s announcement reaffirms the Government’s commitment to protecting all vulnerable communities from hate crimes and terrorism. Improving the SIP is a core priority for CIJA, and we are grateful that the Minister has adopted several changes we proposed. Expanding the program to include support for internal security measures will have a particularly significant impact.
“We encourage the federal government to consider further improvements to the SIP. In particular, we urge them to amend the 50/50 funding formula in cases where it constitutes a barrier to access for at-risk institutions that do not have the financial resources to match funds.”
BACKGROUND:
- More than 2,000 members of the Jewish community wrote to Minister Goodale and their local Members of Parliament through an online CIJA campaign requesting the enhancements announced today.
- The security of our community is CIJA’s top priority. We provide a range of security services to community members and institutions.
-30-
Contact:
Martin Sampson, CIJA
613-219-3500
[email protected]
Stay In the Know!
Get all the latest information from our newsletter, "This Week in Canadian Jewish Advocacy."
