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Podcast: North Star with Ellin Bessner
Episode: Public Safety Minister pledges to move ‘urgently’ to speed up funds for Canadian Jewish institutions
Description: Shortly after Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino learned about the hostage situation at Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas, his phone started buzzing with messages from Canadian Jewish community leaders. They wanted to make sure he saw what was happening—and also wanted to convey their concerns about copycat attacks at home.
In Canada, the Communities at Risk: Security Infrastructure Program (SIP) has existed for more than a decade, covering up to half the costs, to a maximum of $100,000, for security infrastructure upgrades to places of worship, community centres and religious schools. And while many synagogues ha...