Funding to local churches to combat hate provided by Ontario government

Five churches and faith-based organizations in Whitby are sharing more than $42,000 in provincial funding to combat hate incidents in their communities.

The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention grant helps faith-based and cultural organizations implement safety measures, including security guards, building upgrades and surveillance cameras to ensure their community spaces remain safe and secure.

The funding in Durham is part of $12.75 million Queen’s Park has set aside to protect churches and religious groups from discrimination and hate.

“Our faith-based community in Whitby plays a vital role in supporting the well-being and unity of our residents,” said Whitby MPP Lorne Coe. “Protecting these organizations is essential.”

Whitby Christian Assembly and Chabad Jewish Centre of Durham Region each received $10,000 – the maximum – while St. Leo the Great Parish, Brooklin United Church and St. Thomas’ Church Brooklin each received $7,500.

“God willing, we look forward to a time when we can live in peace and harmony and programs like this will no longer be necessary,” said Rabbi Tzali Borenstein of the Chabad Jewish Centre of Durham Region. “For now, however, this support is both vital and reassuring to our community, enabling us to strengthen our security infrastructure and training.”

Since 2021, the province has invested more than $98 million to support 3,000-plus faith-based and cultural communities through the grant.

“In a time when hate seeks to divide and many feel vulnerable, your contribution affirms that love endures, light prevails, and community is sacred,” said Rev. Douglas Barnes of St. Thomas’ Church in Brooklin. “We are grateful for your support and for standing with us in this sacred work of promoting unity, compassion, and understanding and providing a safe, welcoming space for all.”

Nearly a dozen hate crimes made the news in 2025 in the region:

• Hate Crime Unit called in after assault in Oshawa (November)
• Second anti-Muslim graffiti found on waterfront trail in Ajax (September)
• Clarington mayor ‘disheartened’ by racist graffiti found in park (August)
• Two teens charged in Oshawa pizza shop swarming (July)
• Police looking for witnesses after homophobic hate crime in Oshawa (June)
• Double dose of anti-Muslim graffiti in Whitby (May)
• Art gallery defaced with racist anti-Black graffiti (May)
• Woman charged in machete attack on woman wearing a Hijab in Ajax (March)
• Nazi vandalism at Courtice park a ‘small-minded act’ – Clarington mayor (March)
• Police looking for man wanted for hate crime at Oshawa high school (February)
• Swastikas carved into Whitby Library ‘direct attack on Jewish community’ – mayor (February)