Security Infrastructure Program
Background
The Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) provides funding to enhance the security infrastructure of communities targeted by hate-motivated crimes. Under SIP, Public Safety Canada provides funding to private, non-profit organizations linked to a community at risk of hate-motivated crime, to make security improvements to their community gathering spaces, up to maximum amount of $100,000.
The objectives of the program are to:
- Reduce incidents of hate-motivated crime;
- Increase the sense of security in communities at risk of hate-motivated crime; and
- Increase awareness of the particular challenges faced by communities at risk of hate-motivated crime.
Status
Budget 2017 provided an additional $1M in funding per year for the SIP over 5 years, while Budget 2019 provided an additional $2M in ongoing funding per year resulting in a current annual budget of $4M. In addition to new funding, improvements were made to the program to streamline the application process including increasing the frequency of the call for applications and extending the list of eligible expenditures.
Considerations
Program Efficiencies
In recent years, in response to the changing needs of vulnerable populations across the country, key improvements have been implemented in an effort to facilitate the application process for applicants and expand the program. These changes include:
- The implementation of a bi-annual call for applications as opposed to an ongoing open call. SIP project proposals are accepted from December 1st to January 31st and from June 1st to July 31st of each year;
- A commitment by Public Safety Canada to render a decision within 4 months of the close of a call, i.e. advising the applicant that their project has been selected for funding;
- Expanding eligible expenditures to include interior security systems (e.g. interior cameras, alarm systems and lighting); and,
- Improved administrative efficiencies including an online application, mandatory templates to assist applicants in obtaining quotes and an average market value price list.
While funding decisions are made within 4 months of the close of the call for applications, the development of the project with the applicant that leads to the finalization of a funding agreement can take some time (up to 8 months). Recipients are often part-time volunteers with limited experience with federal funding requirements which can delay the submission of required documentation in order to finalize an agreement. PS Program Officers provide enhanced support to applicants with limited experience.
Recent Amendments to the Program’s Term and Conditions
In response to the ongoing needs and concerns of the communities at risk of being victimized by hate-motivated crime, the Program’s terms and conditions were amended on June 1, 2019. The changes include:
- The list of eligible expenditures was expanded to include such items as doors, windows, intercoms and public address systems, minor renovations to the main entrance or lobby area of a building to enhance security, and basic training for staff to respond to a hate-motivated incident (up to a maximum of$10,000).
- Umbrella organizations (e.g. such the Muslim Association of Canada) can now receive up to the maximum funding amount of $100,000 for each of their project sites, as opposed to $100,000 per recipient, per year.
Next Steps
The most recent call for SIP project proposals (June 1 – July 31 2019) resulted in the submission of 136 applications with an estimated total funding ask of $5.3M. The results of the assessment will confirm the number of eligible applications and the approximate total Public Safety Canada funding request. Public Safety Canada has committed to communicating funding decisions to applicants by November 30, 2019.
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