About the program
Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program

On this page

• Program overview
• Recent program changes
• How the program works
• The Severe Hate-Motivated Incident Support stream
• Program phases

Program overview

The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the safety and security of Canadians. Public Safety Canada (PS) is working to build a safe and resilient Canada and has a renewed commitment to the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP). The SIP provides time-limited funding and support for communities at risk of hate-motivated incidents and hate-motivated crimes to enhance physical security at their gathering spaces.

Approved project proposals are eligible for funding up to a maximum of 50% of total eligible project costs, with a maximum Public Safety Canada contribution of $100,000 per project.

Any work or purchases conducted prior to the signature of a funding agreement with Public Safety Canada are not reimbursable or eligible under the program.

Recent program changes

Public Safety Canada continuously aims to provide improvements to the program that make it more responsive to the needs of the communities it serves and to provide funding as quickly and efficiently as possible. As part of the 2023 Call for Applications, significant new changes are taking effect, including:

• The launch of a new Severe Hate-Motivated Incident Support (SHMIS) stream, accessible year-round;
• Support for gender-based violence shelters;
• Brand new online resources;
• Additional public information sessions in both official languages;
• Reduction of several documentation requirements and new application form improvements; and,
• A brand new simplified and responsive mandatory budget template.

How the program works

Applicants propose a project to enhance the safety and security of their facility (i.e. the project site) that is at risk of hate-motivated crimes/incidents by submitting an application to the program.

The program accepts applications under two streams:

1. an annual Call for Applications, which accepts project proposals over a two-month period; and,
2. the Severe Hate-Motivated Incident Support (SHMIS) stream, which accepts applications year-round for those who qualify.

If approved, the SIP funds up to 50% of the eligible costs of a project—such as lighting, fencing, cameras, and alarms—up to a maximum of $100,000 per project. The remaining 50% of the project's cost are to be covered by the recipient. Payment is generally provided at the end of the project as a reimbursement. The program covers costs for work conducted only following the signature of a funding agreement with Public Safety Canada. For more information, see the program terms and conditions.

Applicants must ensure that they have sufficient funding available as cash or in-kind contributions that amount to a minimum of 50% of the total project costs. These contributions must be from non-governmental sources. Funding provided by the program cannot be used in combination with any other federal/provincial/territorial/regional/municipal government assistance for the same purpose and eligible expenses.

The Severe Hate-Motivated Incident Support (SHMIS) stream

Organizations who become victim of a significant and direct hate-motivated crime against their facility may qualify under a prioritized process to receive SIP funding, known as the Severe Hate-Motivated Incident Support (SHMIS) stream. This funding stream is available year-round and accepts online applications for prioritized funding at any time- including outside the regular annual Call for Applications period.

Prioritized funding through the SHMIS stream is limited to the facility to which the incident occurred. Other sites operated by the organization do not qualify.

Program phases

The program is delivered through a multi-phase process. Each project proposal submitted under a regular Call for Applications will follow this path. A project could take up to 12 months to finalize from the time an applicant is informed that they have been selected for funding, depending on the project complexity. Please plan your project accordingly.

Phases of a Security Infrastructure Program project proposal.

Phase	DurationFootnote *	Phase Activities
Application Submission	2 months	Applicants apply for funding during the SIP Call for Applications period
Application Assessment	4 to 5 months	Public Safety Canada assess applications for eligibility. Higher volumes of applications may extend this timeframe.
Project Development	2 to 6 months	All applicants are notified. Those selected begin project development, addressing any issues which may have been identified with their project. Being selected does not guarantee funding.
Project Approval	1 to 3 months	Fully developed SIP projects are sent for final review. Once approved, an agreement is signed by all parties.
Project Implementation	Up to 12 months	Recipients are permitted to begin their project activities. The projects are only to be completed within the agreement period outlined in their respective agreements.
Project Payment	1 to 3 months	Recipients will submit payment deliverables to Public Safety Canada for processing and payment.