The Government of Canada has announced that the Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) 2023 Call for Applications has been launched. This round will accept applications until August 31, 2023.

SIP funds up to 50% of the cost of security equipment up to a maximum of $100,000 per project. Organizations can apply directly on Public Safety Canada’s website: Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP).

Eligible expenditures under the SIP include fencing, cameras, alarm systems, lighting, doors, windows, intercoms and public address systems, minor renovations to enhance security, training on how to use equipment, and basic training for staff to respond to a hate-motivated crime.

Some key improvements have been made to the program this year:

1. New Severe Hate-Motivated Incident Support (SHMIS) stream that will prioritize applications from organizations whose facilities were victimized by recent hate-motivated crimes. This process will be accessible outside the regular Call for Applications period.
2. Expanded eligible recipients to shelters serving victims of gender-based violence, including those specifically serving 2SLGBTQIA+ people.
3. Simplified budget template, reduction of documentation requirements and improvements to the application form.

The SIP 2023 Call for Applications will be open to stakeholders and organizations that meet any of the following criteria:

• Places of worship and reflection, such as temples, mosques, synagogues, gurdwaras or churches.
• Provincially/territorially recognized private educational institutions, including kindergarten, primary/secondary school, seminaries, and heritage language schools.
• Community centres, such as a community drop-in centre or Indigenous friendship centre, where members of a community can gather regularly for social or cultural activities.
• Shelters serving victims of gender-based violence, such as women’s shelters, transitional housing, and shelters serving 2SLGBTQI+ people.

You can learn more about the Security Infrastructure Program here.