Health News For Northumberland County

TORONTO — The Ontario government is taking action to protect communities and combat hate incidents by investing an additional $12.75 million in the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant (AHSP). The grant helps faith-based and cultural organizations implement safety measures, including security guards, building upgrades and surveillance cameras to ensure their community spaces remain safe and secure.

“Everyone in Ontario deserves to feel safe and respected in the spaces where they gather to express their culture or practice their faith,” said Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “With our increased investment in the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant, our government is sending a clear message that there is no place for hate in Ontario.”

Eligible organizations include:

• Religious and spiritual communities (e.g., mosques, synagogues, temples and churches)
• First Nations, Inuit, Métis and Urban Indigenous organizations
• Cultural groups (e.g., 2SLGBTQQIA+ groups, Black, Asian and other diverse organizations)
• A complete list can be found at Ontario.ca/AHSP

Applications for the AHSP grant are now open, and eligible organizations are encouraged to apply.

Since 2021, the government has invested over $98 million to support over 3,000 faith-based and cultural communities through the AHSP grant. The grant provides up to $10,000 to community organizations to improve or implement new measures to protect their spaces from hate-related incidents.

Quick Facts

Quotes

"Rising acts of antisemitism have regrettably meant increased security costs, but the Ontario Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant has allowed Jewish childcare centres, schools, and places of worship to keep our communities safe while focusing their funds on programming. We appreciate this increase in funding which will continue to support Jewish Ontarians all across the province."

- Josh Landau
Director, Government Relations, Ontario, Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs

"The National Council of Canadian Muslims welcomes the Ontario government’s commitment of $12.75 million in 2025–26 to refresh the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant as an important step toward enhancing community safety across the province. Ever since the terror attack near a mosque in London in 2021 that killed 3 generations of a Muslim family, we have called for more measures to protect our community from violent Islamophobia. This grant will continue to assist Muslim Ontarians and other faith-based and cultural organizations in implementing practical measures to help ensure that our community spaces are safe while remaining welcoming for all."

- Zubair Qasim
Vice-President, National Council of Canadian Muslims

"The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant has provided vital funding for essential security upgrades at Gurdwara's across the GTA. We thank the Government of Ontario for its ongoing commitment to support our community's safety."

- Lakhvinder Singh
Dhaliwal, Ontario Gurdwaras Committee

"Through the Ontario government’s Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant, we’re reinforcing safety and ensuring our community can practice their faith in a peaceful and welcoming environment."

- Udayan Pandya
Director, BAPS Inc., Canada

"We are deeply grateful for the support provided through the Anti-Hate Security and Prevention Grant. These funds allowed us to upgrade and reinforce our entry doors, improving safety and peace of mind for everyone who comes through them."

- Building and Grounds Committee
St. Joseph's Catholic Parish

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