Toronto (February 19, 2021) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) commends the Government of Ontario for its decision to invest up to $2.6 million over two years to help combat racism and hate-motivated crime.

According to a news release issued today, the funding will help non-profit community organizations "implement local projects that tackle discrimination, foster greater inclusiveness and address the increase of police-reported hate crime."

"Following our engagement with Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and amid our continuous work with the Ontario government in combatting hate, we are pleased to learn of this new initiative to help community organizations counter hate as well as protect and support groups that are most often the victims of hate-motivated crimes," said Michael Levitt, FSWC president and CEO. "This kind of action by governments is more important than ever, as we continue to see a rise in hate crimes, most recently evidenced by the shocking increase in hate incidents in Toronto schools."