Canada's Government Supports Community Organizations Targeted by Hate Crime

MONTREAL, QUEBEC, Sep 05 (MARKET WIRE) --
The Honourable Michael M Fortier, Minister of International Trade and
Minister Responsible for Montreal, on behalf of the Minister of Public
Safety, the Honourable Stockwell Day, today announced support for six
Jewish community organizations to assist them with security
infrastructure enhancements.

"In July 2007, our Government announced the Communities at Risk: Security
Infrastructure Pilot Program," said Minister Fortier. "Today's
announcement demonstrates our government's leadership and commitment to
protecting the right of all Canadians to live in a society where every
citizen is safe in their community."

The Security Infrastructure Pilot (SIP) Program is a $3 million, two-year
pilot program administered by Public Safety Canada. The program helps
defray the costs of security infrastructure enhancements at
not-for-profit community centres, provincially recognized educational
institutions, and places of worship that are clearly linked to a
community with a demonstrated history of being victimized by
hate-motivated crime.

Today's announcement will see up to $144,483 in program funding provided
to the six community organizations to help with security improvement
costs.

Eligible costs include:

- security assessments;

- security equipment and hardware, such as alarm systems, closed-circuit
televisions, fences, gates, lighting, intercom systems;

- minor construction costs related to the project, such as contractor
fees, labour, equipment rental, installation fees; and

- training costs for the use of new security equipment.

Thus far, the SIP Program is providing funding to 38 organizations across
Canada.

BACKGROUNDER

Protecting Communities-at-risk: Organizations receiving funds

The following six community organizations from Quebec received
contribution funding to support their efforts to enhancing various
security infrastructure needs. Additional funded organizations will be
announced separately.

- Beth Zion Congregation (Cote St. Luc - $15,568) maintains a house of
worship reflecting Orthodox Judaism, as well as a cemetery and a
community centre for its members.

- Congregation Beth Israel Beth Aaron (BIBA) (Cote St. Luc - $16,466)
maintains a house of worship, a community centre for the development of
the welfare of its members, and the cultivation of Jewish thought and
action. BIBA fosters and encourages the organization of social and
cultural groups among its members, children and the community for the
purpose of continual social development.

- Congregation Beth Ora (Saint-Laurent - $27,100) maintains a house of
worship, and a community centre for the development of the moral, mental,
social and physical welfare of its members and the larger community.

- Corporation of Spanish and Portuguese Jews (Montreal - $23,274)
maintains a house of worship and community centre for the development of
the moral, mental, social and physical welfare of its members, and to
cultivate Jewish thought and action.

- Federation CJA, Cummings House (Montreal - $50,535) is the central
funding, planning and coordinating body of services for the Jewish
population of Montreal. FCJA supports a family of constituent agencies
and associated communal organizations offering innovative programs,
meeting health and welfare, education, cultural, spiritual and social
needs.

- YM-YWHA Jewish Community Centre, West Island Branch (Pierrefonds -
$11,540). YM-YWHA's mission is to be the central force in the Jewish
community, by providing, in a Jewish ambience, quality services that
promote the social, cultural, recreational, physical, and intellectual
needs of members and users.

Contacts:
Public Safety Canada
Media Relations
613-991-0657

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