Terms and Conditions
Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program

1. Authority

The Minister's authority to make contributions is section 6(1)(c) of the Department of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Act, S.C. 2005, c.10. The Communities At Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) supports security enhancements for communities at risk of hate-motivated crime.

The Communities At Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) supports the National Crime Prevention Strategy's (NCPS) policy framework by funding the implementation of security enhancements for communities at-risk for victimization by hate-motivated crime.

2. Purpose

The purpose of the SIP is to support the implementation of projects to help communities with a demonstrated history of being victimized by hate-motivated crime through the enhancement of their security infrastructure.

The SIP supports Public Safety Canada's Strategic Outcome of providing Canadians with "A Safe and Resilient Canada". Providing communities with security infrastructure should lead to a reduction in the number of hate-motivated crimes, which would then lead to an increase in community safety, part of Public Safety Canada's Strategic Outcome.

Public Safety Canada's SIP contributes to the federal government's leadership role in promoting community safety. It does this, in part, through providing contribution funding to local community organizations to enhance their security infrastructure to prevent or deter hate-motivated crime.

3. Objectives

The objectives of the Security Infrastructure Program are as follows:

  1. A reduction of incidents of hate-motivated crime in targeted areas;
  2. An increased sense of security in communities at risk of hate-motivated crime in targeted areas; and,
  3. An increased awareness of the particular challenges faced by communities at risk of hate-motivated crime. By providing these communities with security infrastructure, a reduction in hate-motivated crime is anticipated which would lead to an increase in overall community safety. 

4. Expected results and outcomes

The activities and outputs of the SIP are expected to support the following Outcomes:

Immediate

  • Private, not-for-profit organizations are aware of available contribution funding to address hate-motivated crime in communities most at risk.

Intermediate

  • Private, not-for-profit organizations enhance security infrastructure in communities at risk of hate-motivated crime.

Ultimate

  • Program recipients feel safe from hate-motivated crime.

Initiative Outcome

  • Hate-motivated crime is prevented and addressed in communities most at risk.

5. Performance indicators

The success of the expected results listed in section 4 will be measured by the following indicators:

  1. Percentage increase in the number of applications received through calls for applications
  2. Percentage of the SIP budget expended;
  3. Percentage of funding recipients that have enhanced security infrastructure at a facility in a community at risk of hate-motivated crime ;
  4. Percentage of funding recipients that indicate that the population that uses the facility feels safe from hate-motivated crime since the installation of security equipment
  5. Percentage of funding recipients that indicate that there have been no new incidents of hate-motivated crime at their facility since the installation of security equipment; and,
  6. Number of Police-reported mischief in relation to property primarily used for religious worship or by an identifiable group

6. Class of recipient

Contributions may be provided, in support of the SIP objectives, to Canadian private, not-for-profit organizations, associations or societies that are clearly linked to a community at risk of hate-motivated crime, but are limited to:

  • Provincially/territorially recognized educational institutions;
  • Shelters serving victims of gender-based violence;
  • Places of worship; and/or
  • Community centres.

Government departments as defined in section 2 of the Financial Administration Act (including the RCMP), federal Crown corporations and for-profit organizations are not eligible for funding under the SIP.

7. Eligible activities

Eligible activities include:

  • Purchase and/or installation of modest security equipment and hardware;
  • Minor Renovations to the interior or perimeter of the site directly related to enhancing the security of the building;
  • Contract security expertise for the completion of security assessments, security plans, emergency contingency plans and evacuation plans; and,
  • Training.

8. Type and nature of expenditures

Funds may be used only for expenses directly related to the activities of the project identified in a budget approved by the Department. The Department will not reimburse any eligible expenses incurred for activities rendered prior to the signing of a Contribution Agreement.

Eligible expenses include (but are not limited to):

Physical Security Enhancement Equipment:

  • Protective barriers and lighting: (e.g., fencing, gates, bollards, exterior lighting and security-grade window film);
  • Anti-Graffiti Spray;
  • Intrusion Detection Systems: (e.g., alarm system, sensors);
  • Physical Access Control (e.g., locking devices, key card systems);
  • Video surveillance or Closed Circuit Television Systems (CCTV) (e.g., cameras, monitors);
  • Cost associated to labour and installation of physical security enhancement equipment.

Minor Renovations and Supplementary Equipment (Up to $35,000)

The Department's contribution for expenses under this category cannot exceed $35,000 in for both equipment and labour combined.

  • Reinforced Windows and Doors (or other security feature such as improved locking mechanism);
  • Fire Monitoring (limited to fire monitoring panels and related sensors such as smoke and heat detectors);
  • Notification and Warning Systems (e.g. public address systems, intercoms and panic buttons);
  • Reasonable renovations directly related to enhancing the security of the building (limited to main entrances or lobbies);
  • Landscaping to address vulnerabilities identified in a completed security assessment.

Planning (Up to $5,000):

The Department's contribution for expenses under this category cannot exceed a total of $5,000.

  • Completion of security (vulnerability) assessments of the project site;
  • Development and/or enhancement of security plans and protocols;
  • Development and/or enhancement of Emergency contingency plans;
  • Development and/or enhancement of evacuation/Shelter-in-place plans.

Training (Up to $10,000):

The Department's contribution for expenses under this category cannot exceed a total of $10,000.

  • On-site or online security training relevant to responding to, or preparing volunteers and staff members for a hate-motivated incident.
  • Training on how to use newly installed equipment.

Ineligible expenses include (but are not limited to):

Capital Cost

  • The purchase or leasing of land and/or buildings;
  • Construction of new buildings;
  • The purchase or leasing of vehicles.

Costs Outside the Contribution Agreement

  • Any expenses incurred as a result of activities rendered prior to the signature of a contribution agreement with the Department (including security assessments);
  • Application writer fees and any costs associated with the completion of a SIP application;
  • Any expenses incurred as a result of activities rendered after the contribution agreement with the Department has expired.

Ongoing expenditures

  • Salaries and wages for full time personnel (i.e. security guards);
  • Hospitality and travel;
  • Core or ongoing operating expenses, including equipment maintenance and system monitoring;
  • Warranties

Other Security Equipment

  • Furniture, concrete barrier walls, biometric-based systems (such as facial recognition) weapons, night vision goggles, body armour, projectors, hidden cameras or dummy cameras, tire shredders, etc.

Any capital items purchased with the assistance of this Program do not become the property of the Department or the Crown. The Crown is not liable for the upkeep or maintenance of any such property.

Any enhancements must adhere to municipal codes, by-laws and provincial / territorial laws and regulations. As the sole party responsible to ensure that all enhancements done meet statutory and legal standards and requirements, the Recipient will save harmless the Crown as against any legal or regulatory non-compliance and any damages resulting from any and all initiatives financed through the contribution agreement.

9. Stacking

SIP contributions cannot be used in combination with any other federal/provincial/territorial/regional/municipal government assistance for the same purpose and eligible expenses.

SIP funding from the Department shall not exceed 50% of the eligible project costs up to a maximum contribution of $100,000. Recipients will be encouraged to find additional sources of funding. The Department will require all recipients of contributions to disclose all sources of funding for a proposed project before the start and at the end of a project. Total Government Assistance (federal/provincial/regional/municipal/local assistance for the same purpose and eligible expenses) is not to exceed 50% of eligible project costs.

10. Method used to determine the amount of a contribution

Contribution funding amounts will be determined based on an assessment of the recipient's planned activities and budget submission. The recipient's previous financial performance, and capacity of the recipient to achieve results may also be a factor. The availability of Program funds and the number of successful applicants will also be used to determine the amount the recipient is eligible to receive.

11. Maximum amount and period

The maximum contribution payable shall not exceed $100,000 per project. Twelve (12) months is the maximum period for which a contribution will be initially approved, with a possibility for an extension of an additional six (6) months if required and approved by the Department. An agreement shall not exceed a total of eighteen (18) months.

12. Basis of payment

Payments will be made in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Transfer Payments. Payments and minimum holdback provisions will be based on a Risk Assessment.

Progress payments will be issued to reimburse the recipient for eligible expenditures made and will be based upon receipt and acceptance by the Department of interim financial (including copies of original receipts) and project reports.

Where advances are required, they will be issued based on the cash flow requirements of the recipient.

A final payment will be made only upon receipt and acceptance of a final financial report (including copies of original receipts) and project and evaluation reports.

Recipients must meet and continue to meet the specific terms and conditions of the Contribution Agreement prior to payments being made.

13. Application requirements and assessment criteria

Proposals or applications to support specific projects should, as appropriate and applicable:

  1. Include a signed and dated application with the name, address, telephone and email address of the applicant, the period or duration of the project, and the name, title and address (including email address) of an individual with signing authority on behalf of the organization;
  2. Demonstrate that the proposal meets the objectives of the SIP and describes the need for the project;
  3. Include a work plan including the following elements (in the application form):
    1. Identify the threat/risk that the organization is concerned about;
    2. Security goals and objectives (identify the acceptable level of resilience the organization is looking to achieve);
    3. The specific security services to be employed and/or security equipment to be installed;
    4. How security enhancements will be implemented, managed to achieve security goals and objectives; and specifically address the identified threats.
  4. Provide a detailed budget including type and nature of expenditures, a disclosure of all sources of funding for the project (including in-kind contributions and other assistance), amount of funding requested under the Program, audited financial statements of the recipient organization (if available and appropriate), and previous financial support received from the Department;
  5. Provide a quote(s) from a vendor(s) that offers goods and services related to eligible project activities (including training);
  6. Provide a legible sketch, pictures or a floor plan that include clear markings of where all the proposed interior and/or exterior security equipment will be installed;
  7. Provide a letter of support from the local community in support of the project;
  8. Include information related to the organization's legal status (that they are not for profit) and structure, names of project authorities, information on the background, history, mandate, objectives and accomplishments of the organization, and names and contact information for the executive members of the board of directors of the organization;
  9. A declaration to whether other municipal, provincial or federal government funding is being used for the project and that the other government funding being used was not provided to the Recipient organization to reimburse for the exact same purpose, activities and eligible costs;
  10. A commitment to install all approved security infrastructure in accordance with all relevant municipal codes, by-laws and provincial / territorial laws and regulations;
  11. Describe how the project will respect the spirit and intent of the Official Languages Act; and identify whether if the community is an official language minority community;
  12. Prevent the risk of conflict of interest by:
    1. Disclosing the involvement of prospective recipients who are subject to the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Service, the Conflict of Interest Act (S.C. 2006, c.9)or the Parliament of Canada Act (R.S., 1985, c.P-1.01);
    2. When required by the Lobbyists Registration Act (LRA), registering lobbyists under the LRA (applicants shall provide assurance that, where lobbyists are utilized, they are registered in accordance with Treasury Board policy and that no actual or potential conflict of interest exists nor any contingency fee arrangement); and,
    3. Discussing the role of a departmental official if a departmental official is to participate on an advisory committee or board. Such involvement must not be seen to be exercising control on the committee or board or on the use of the funds.

Proposals for consideration under the SIP will be reviewed against program criteria by the Department and its representatives to determine their eligibility, completeness and conformity according to specified mandatory requirements.

14. Reporting

Recipients will be required to report on results achieved in line with the expected outcomes and performance indicators outlined in Sections 4 and 5 of the Performance Measurement (PM) Strategy. A performance report template will be provided by the Department. The performance report related to the SIP will be required at the end of the agreement.

15. Official languages

Funding will be consistent with all relevant policies and regulations of the Official Languages Act.

The Department will work with organizations in their preferred official language. All information published as it relates to the SIP will be made available and posted on the Department's website in both official languages.

The SIP's overall objectives are to be implemented within the broader context of the linguistic duality of Canada by supporting projects that will serve official language minority communities.

16. Intellectual property

If a project produces intellectual property, the Recipient retains copyright for any work produced under the contribution agreement. However, in situations where the Department wishes to use the intellectual property produced by a Recipient, additional clauses may be included in the contribution agreement.

17. Effective date

These updated Terms and Conditions will take effect subject to the date of the departmental approval.

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