Father Moses from the St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church in Windsor speaks to MP Irek Kusmierczyk, November 15, 2024. (photo by Maureen Revait)Father Moses from the St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church in Windsor speaks to MP Irek Kusmierczyk, November 15, 2024. (photo by Maureen Revait)
Windsor

Feds provide funding for security at local religious organizations

Three local religious organizations received funding from the federal government to improve security at their facilities.

The Gracanica Serbian Eastern Orthodox Church was awarded $12,726, St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church received $82,446, and Congregation Beth El received $1,271 from the Security Infrastructure Program.

"All Canadians deserve to feel safe in their places of worship, in their community centres, wherever they gather," said Windsor-Tecumseh MP Irek Kusmierczyk. "We are partnering together with local churches, with local community centres, local ethnic organizations and communities to help protect them from violence, to help them feel more safe and to help them make those investments in security."

The St. Mary and St. Moses Coptic Orthodox Church on Ottawa Street has been the victim of vandals over the years. Several of its 100-year-old stained glass windows were smashed last year and someone gained entry into the church and destroyed property inside.

With this funding, the church will install a higher fence around the property.

The federal government has just opened applications to a new program, the Canada Community Security Program, that offers similar grants to religious organizations and community centres.

Through this program organizations can receive up to 70 per cent of the funds needed for security equipment and hardware, minor renovations to enhance security, security and emergency assessments and plans, training to respond to hate-motivated events, and time-limited third-party licensed security personnel.

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