The province is releasing more details about funding announced in Budget 2022 to protect vulnerable Albertans and places of worship.
Funding for the Alberta Security Infrastructure Program has increased from $2 million to $5 million annually.
The funds mean churches, not-for-profit agencies, registered charities and other organizations can apply for grants for security and technology improvements.
“While it saddens me that many religious and ethnic organizations and Indigenous groups need this protection, I am proud of this government’s commitment to helping keep them safe,” said Premier Jason Kenney Sunday.
“Our province continues to stand against hate and violence, and alongside those targeted by these terrible crimes.”
Last summer, the Calgary Vietnamese Alliance Church in Forest Lawn was the target of arson — significantly damaging the building.
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Pastor Thai Nguyen said they know the pain of being targeted by hate crimes.
“We are still trying to repair all of the damage caused by arson last summer,” said Nguyen.
“The protections these grants make available can make a real difference in churches and local groups like ours, who come together for worship and to serve our communities.”
That church was one of about 50 Christian churches targeted by vandals across the country last summer.
Kenney said some people tried to excuse the acts by connecting them to “the terrible injustice of the Indian Residential School system.” But he said recognizing the “wickedness of that system” cannot justify “acts of hateful violence inflicted against faith communities.”
“Public safety is a public responsibility and we have a particular responsibility to ensure the safety of vulnerable communities that are targeted by hate-inspired violence,” Kenney said.
Other churches in Alberta and across Canada were vandalized or damaged in fires last year following the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
Perry Bellegarde, the former national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, said at the time that he understood the rage, frustration and pain brought on by the discovery of the unmarked graves, But that burning down churches would not bring justice and was “not our way.”
New calls for grant applications will take place this spring and fall.
With files from The Canadian Press
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