Public Safety Canada has spent more than $7-million since 2012 upgrading security at religious institutions through its Security Infrastructure Program, which contributed $25,000 to Beth Tikvah.
Under
the program, “community gathering places” deemed at risk of hate crimes
can receive up to $100,000 for security equipment. The money covers 50
per cent of project costs.
In 2017, the government doubled the
program to $2 million a year. Although spending actually declined in
2018 to $1.5 million, the 2019 budget again doubled the available money
to $4 million annually.