FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 28, 2020
Press Release: CIJA Applauds Ontario’s Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Grant Program
TORONTO, ON – Today, the Government of Ontario announced a $1.6 million investment to create a new Anti-Racism and Anti-Hate Grant program. The program will support anti-racism initiatives by community partners, focusing on specific forms of hate, including antisemitism. To that end, Ontario’s Anti-Racism Directorate will engage with community groups to help shape and design the new program.
The announcement follows an earlier $1.7 million investment in the Safety and Vital Communities grant program, which seeks to combat hate-motivated crimes.
In response, Barbara Bank, Chair, CIJA Toronto, issued the following:
“Today’s announcement is another welcome step in the fight against antisemitism and all other forms of racism in our province. As a community with significant experience with prejudice and discrimination, Jewish Ontarians can offer valuable insight and guidance in support of this important program.
“We are pleased that this announcement specifically recognizes antisemitism along with other forms of racism that must be addressed. Sadly, year after year, it is Jewish Ontarians who are most frequently targeted group for hate crime.
“We thank Minister Sylvia Jones for her leadership in standing up for vulnerable groups in Ontario. CIJA looks forward to our continued engagement with the Anti-Racism Directorate in the future.”
The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) is the advocacy agent of the Jewish Federations of Canada, including UJA Federation of Greater Toronto
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Additional Information:
- Ontario Newsroom: Ontario Helping to Protect Communities against Racism and Hate
- Prior to the adoption of Bill 114 (Anti-Racism Act), which established the Anti-Racism Directorate in 2017, CIJA engaged with Provincial Parliament to ensure that antisemitism would be expressly recognized as a form of racism covered in the Bill.
- More than 40% of all hate crimes in Canada take place in Ontario. Four out of the five metropolitan areas with the highest hate crime rates (adjusted for population) are in Ontario. In 2018, Jewish Canadians form 1% of Canada’s population but were the target of nearly 20% of all hate crimes in the country.
- July 22, 2020: CIJA Welcomes Government Investment in Programs to Combat Hate Crimes