Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP): Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQs

Eligibility and Requirements

Questions in the Application

Online Application Support (General and Technical)

General FAQs

  1. What is a "hate-motivated crime"?

    For the purpose of the SIP, a hate-motivated crime is described as a criminal offence motivated by hate towards an identifiable group. Some groups, by virtue of their color, race, ethnic and/or national origins, sexual orientation, religious affiliation or some other attribute are at risk of being the victims of hate-motivated crime. Incidents targeting these identifiable groups or communities include, but are not limited to, hateful slurs and hate-motivated graffiti, threats, acts of vandalism, damage to property, firebombing, arson, and physical violence against individuals.
     
  2. What is the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP)?

    In response to concerns raised by a number of communities across Canada regarding their vulnerability to hate-motivated crime, the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) was created in 2007. The SIP is delivered through Public Safety Canada’s National Crime Prevention Strategy and provides funding to private, non-profit organizations linked to a community at risk of hate-motivated crime, to make security improvements to their community gathering spaces.

    Through the SIP, time-limited financial assistance in the form of matched funds (up to 50% of a project’s cost) is available to: community centres; provincially/territorially-recognized educational institutions; and places of worship. Security upgrades may include: the installation of additional lighting, alarm systems, fences or surveillance cameras.

  3. What recent changes have been made to SIP?

    In 2016-2017, the program became more responsive to the needs of the communities by streamlining the submission process and broadening eligible items to enhance safety measures. In addition, Public Safety reached out to eligible communities to ensure those who need this support are aware of the program and its application process.

    In 2017-2018, the SIP launched an online applications form to make the process user-friendly and accessible, along with the Pricing Guide for applicants and a quote template to facilitate and streamline the consistency of the information.

    In 2019-2020, the program amended its Terms and Conditions and broadened the eligible security equipment in response to the changing needs of the communities. Popular and frequently requested security items were removed from the list of ineligible expenditures, such as doors, windows, window bars, emergency automated phone systems, intercom and public address systems, panic buttons, fire alarm systems, smoke and heat detectors, and renovations of buildings. The list of eligible expenditures was also expanded to include renovations directly related to enhancing the security of building entrances or lobbies and to include basic security training for staff to respond to a hate-motivated incident.

  4. I have applied for SIP funding in the past and I was rejected.  Can I reapply?

    Yes. Please ensure that you submit all the mandatory requirements.

  5. I previously received funding under the SIP.  Can I reapply?

    Yes.  You can reapply under the SIP to apply for funding for new security equipment or upgrade older security equipment. 

  6. I have received SIP funding in the past, but some security equipment were not eligible for funding at the time.  Can I reapply for funding for the newly eligible security equipment, for training or minor renovation?

    Yes.

  7. I already have security equipment, but they are outdated or do not function properly.  Can I apply for SIP funding?

    Yes.

  8. I have submitted my application.  When can we expect to receive a decision (approximate timelines)?

    Public Safety Canada aims to deliver decisions four (4) months following the close of a Call for Applications. Higher volumes of applications may extend this timeframe.

    The decision will be provided electronically to the email address declared as the primary contact on the submitted application form. Please ensure to check your junk or spam inbox regularly.

    A Program Officer may contact you requiring further information prior to receiving any formal decisions.

    Funding for your successful application will only be granted once a Contribution Agreement has been signed by all parties for work that has not yet started.

    Applicants will be contacted regardless of whether they were successful or unsuccessful.

  9. When can I start my project?

    To receive 50% of the cost of the project, a recipient can only start their project after a Contribution Agreement has been signed by all parties.

    Funding or reimbursements cannot be provided for projects that have begun or have been completed prior to being in a signed funding agreement with Public Safety Canada.

  10. How much funding can I expect to receive from the SIP for my proposed project?

    Approved project proposals are eligible for funding up to 50% of total project costs, to a maximum of $100,000 per project per year. Proposals may be approved in their entirety or in part.

    Public Safety’s contribution for minor renovations cannot exceed $35,000 per project.

    Public Safety’s contribution for training for the proper use of new security equipment and basic training for staff to respond to a hate-motivated incident cannot exceed $10,000 per project. 

Eligibility And Requirements

  1. Who is eligible for funding under the SIP?

    Funding is available to three types of private, not-for-profit organizations linked to a community at risk of being victimized by hate-motivated crime:
    1. Places of worship and reflection, such as a temple, mosque, synagogue, gurdwara or church, where a group of people can gather to perform acts of religious praise, meditation, honour or devotion;
    2. Provincially/territorially recognized educational institutions, including primary and secondary schools; and
    3. Community centres, such as a community drop-in centre or Aboriginal friendship centre, where members of a community can gather year-round for social or cultural activities.

      Please note: Cemeteries, shelters, residential dwellings and daycares are not eligible for funding under the SIP.

  2. Are Universities, Colleges and CEGEPs, and public and Catholic elementary and high schools eligible for funding under the SIP?

    These educational institutions are not eligible for funding under the SIP as per the program’s terms and conditions (Ts&Cs).. The majority of Canadian Universities, Colleges and CEGEPs – in addition to public and Catholic elementary schools and high schools – are publicly funded, mainly by the provinces/territories. According to the SIP T&Cs, contributions may be provided, in support of the SIP objectives, to private, not-for-profit organizations, associations or societies that are clearly linked to a community at-risk of hate-motivated crime, but are limited to:
    • Provincially/territorially recognized [which is different than funded] educational institutions;
    • Places of worship; and/or
    • Community centres.

    In addition, SIP funding is not provided to crown corporations, public institutions, for-profit organizations, and individuals.

    Please note: There are, however, some provinces that do not fund Catholic Schools. These schools could be eligible for funding provided that they meet all eligibility criteria outlined in the SIP terms and conditions. There are also a small number of Canadian Colleges and Universities that do not receive government funding. These private educational institutions would be eligible for SIP funding provided that they are non-for-profit, are clearly linked to a community at-risk, and satisfy any other eligibility criteria identified in the program’s terms and conditions.

  3. What are the basic requirements to apply for the SIP?

    Private, not-for-profit organizations, associations or societies that are clearly linked to a community at-risk of hate-motivated crime are eligible to apply for the SIP, but are limited to:
    • Provincially/territorially recognized educational institutions;
    • Places of worship; and/or
    • Community centres. 

    The applicant must also submit a complete application package, which includes the following required documentation:

    • the online application form;
    • For project proposals involving private educational institutions, documentation confirming that the institution is recognized at the Provincial or Territorial level;
    • a completed and detailed budget, using the mandatory budget template provided on the SIP website. Only items listed in the budget will be considered for funding;
    • two (2) detailed and comparable quotes, each completed by and originating from two different security companies, of all the requested security equipment and renovation using the mandatory quote template provided on the SIP website.
    • training on how to respond to an event only requires one quote from a certified security professional on the official company/consultant’s letterhead. The quote must include the number of hours of training required, the number of participants to attend the training, the cost per hour or per participant, and the total cost.
    • Sketches or floorplans of the project site with clear markings indicating the exact location of where all the requested equipment would be installed. The sketches and floorplans are drawings of the layout of your facility, either inside or outside. Recent photographs (less than 1 year) with clear markings of where the proposed security equipment would be installed can also be submitted as supplemental documentation in addition to the required sketches or floorplans.
    • A minimum of two (2) recent letters from the community supporting the proposed project.

  4. What kind of training expenditures will be eligible and who can provide the training?

    The list of expenditures has been expanded to also include basic training for staff to respond to a hate-motivated incident. This could entail hiring a certified security professional to provide training to the personnel of the organization (including volunteers) to improve on their abilities and knowledge for all aspects of security. Public Safety Canada’s contribution cannot exceed $10,000.

    Applicants must submit one quote from a certified security professional (on official letterhead) which includes the number of hours of training required; the number of participants to attend the training, the cost per hour and the total cost.

    For training on how to operate newly installed security equipment, applicants are required to submit two comparable quotes using the standardized quote template provided on the SIP webpage which include: the number of hours of training required, the number of participants, the cost per hour and the total cost.

  5. Which expenses are considered eligible under the SIP?

    A wider range of costs are now considered eligible, which will allow communities to implement security measures both inside and outside of their facilities.

    Eligible costs include but not limited to:
    • Security assessments (report and consultation fees) not to exceed 25% of total project cost and must be completed post project approval. Please note that recipients who have received a Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessment from a police service will not be eligible for reimbursement of any subsequent security assessments;
    • Minor construction related to the project (contractor fees, labour, equipment rental, installation fees);
    • Renovations directly related to enhancing the security of the building (i.e.: minor renovation to the main entrance or lobby area of a building to enhance the security.  Public Safety contribution will reimburse up to a maximum of $35,000);
    • Security equipment and hardware costs including alarm systems, fences, gates, lighting, security film for windows, relocation of existing cameras, anti-graffiti sealant, motion detectors, signage and landscaping consistent with a CPTED assessment;
    • Closed circuit television systems (CCTV) which may include interior and exterior cameras, digital video recorder, monitor, and installation costs associated with the system including wiring, brackets and accessories. The system accessories cannot exceed 25% of the total cost of the CCTV system;
    • Training costs for proper use of new security equipment and basic training for staff to respond to a hate-motivated incident, Public Safety Canada contribution will reimburse up to a maximum of $10,000; and
    • Project related monitoring, reporting and evaluation costs.

  6. Which costs are considered ineligible under the SIP?

    Examples of ineligible costs include:
    • Capital costs that include land, construction of buildings, and vehicles;
    • Salaries and wages for full time personnel;
    • Hospitality and travel;
    • Core or ongoing operating expenses related to the project, including maintenance;
    • Equipment and/or hardware which includes any of the following: benches, concrete barrier wall, fingerprint reader system, night vision goggles, body armour, projectors, security desk, radios, hidden cameras or dummy cameras, tire shredders and any other equipment or hardware not related to deterring hate-motivated crime; and
    • Hiring security guards.

  7. If we have a long term rental agreement (12 months or more) on a property does it qualify for funding even though we do not own it?

    The property that is a long-term rental is eligible for the contribution. You should however verify whether these changes or additions are permitted, according to the rental agreement.

  8. My project site is under construction. Can I still apply for SIP funding?

    Your organization will be able to demonstrate clear timelines for the project development. A Program Officer will follow up with you to find out more details about the security equipment to be installed.  Example of questions you would be asked:
    • When will the project site be completed?
    • Will you be able to provide PS with timelines on when the security equipment will be installed (will they be installed within the 12 months duration from the signing of the contribution agreement as per SIP terms and conditions)

Questions In The Application

  1. What does project related monitoring, reporting and evaluation costs mean?

    As with all government Contribution Agreements, applicants will need to report on the completed activities as per the terms and conditions of the agreement and the approved budget. The costs associated with these reporting activities can be included in the budget as in-kind contribution from the applicant. 

  2. How do I demonstrate that I have the capacity to cover 50% of the cost?

    Applicants must demonstrate that they are able to provide cash and in-kind contributions that amount to a minimum of 50% of the total project costs. These contributions must be from non-governmental sources and must be confirmed at the time the application is submitted. In-kind contributions can include unpaid labour, donation of equipment and expertise. In-kind contributions can constitute a part of an organization's funding commitment to the project; they must be detailed in the project proposal and assigned a fair market value. In-kind contributions cannot exceed 10% of the total cost of the project and cannot originate from the contractor who will be supplying and installing the security equipment.

  3. Where do I get a Crime Prevention through environmental (CPTED) assessment?

    Many police services offer CPTED assessments and would be able to provide more information in that regard.

    A CPTED assessment is not an application requirement. However, if the applicant chooses to proceed with a CPTED assessment, the application should include the CPTED report and clearly demonstrate that some or all of the CPTED recommendations are being included in the application, depending on the proposed budget.

    Please note that recipients who have received a CPTED assessment from a police service will not be eligible for reimbursement of any subsequent security assessments

Online Application Support (General And Technical)

  1. Who do I contact if I have any questions relating to the SIP or the application process?

    If you have any questions regarding the SIP or the application process, please contact the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program at sip-pfpis@ps-sp.gc.ca.

  2. What do I do if I am experiencing technical difficulties with the online application?

    If you are unable to access the online application, please contact the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program for assistance, atsip-pfpis@ps-sp.gc.ca.

    Any questions regarding technical difficulties with the online application tool must be sent before the close of each call. 

  3.  How can I ensure that my application was received?

    Once you have fully completed the online application and attached all of the required documents, you have to press the SUBMIT button (not SAVE).  After pressing SUBMIT, you will receive a confirmation e-mail from: ps.donotreply-external-snap-externe-nepasrepondre.sp@ps-sp.gc.ca.  This confirms your application was received. Sometimes, due to your security settings, emails are directed to your “Junk E-mail.” You may need to check your junk email folder.

    If you do not receive a confirmation e-mail, please check your junk folder; if the confirmation email is not there, please contact sip-pfpis@ps-sp.gc.ca.
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