The City of Toronto is continuing to take action to protect communities from hate.
As part of the opening remarks at the Strong Cities Network Sixth Global Summit, Mayor Olivia Chow announced the City’s new Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Grant. This new grant will provide up to $100,000 to eligible community organizations to establish protective measures around their locations. Protective measures funded by the grant could include crash-rated bollards, fencing or gates, and reinforced and crash-rated street furniture. The grant makes a total of $2.5 million available and is expected to support at least 25 eligible organizations.
To be eligible, private non-profit or charitable organizations, such as places of worship, community centres, educational institutions and childcare centres must serve communities that are at risk of hate-motivated incidents or crimes.
The Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) grant is a one-time grant, offered as part of the Keeping Toronto Safe from Hate Action Plan. Eligible organizations are encouraged to apply by visiting the City’s web page for Community Funding and Grants.
More information about HVM and City standards is available on the City’s webpage.
Strong Cities Network Sixth Global Summit, hosted in Toronto from Tuesday, December 9 to Thursday, December 11, brings together more than 350 mayors and other local leaders, city officials, civil society organizations, national governments and international partners from more than 45 countries to discuss and share strategies and innovative programming to fight rising hate and foster stronger, more resilient and inclusive cities.
Quotes:
“Keeping our communities safe and free from hate is essential. Toronto is a caring city where everyone belongs. The new Hostile Vehicle Mitigation Grant will help strengthen protections for cultural spaces and places of worship against hate crimes.”
– Mayor Olivia Chow
“In these times of increased anxiety about the safety of places of worship and other cultural and faith-based institutions we must all we can to keep people safe. The new Hostile Vehicle Mitigation grant is an important step the City is taking to ensure different cultural, spiritual, and religious groups are safe while practicing their faith and gathering in community.”
– Councillor James Pasternak (York Centre)
Toronto is home to more than three million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada’s leading economic engine and one of the world’s most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture and innovation and climate action, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit the City's website or follow us on X, Instagram or Facebook.