The Ontario Solicitor General has awarded a $168,000 boost to the United for All coalition, strengthening its anti-hate initiatives across East Ontario. United Way East Ontario, which leads the coalition, will use the funding from the Safer and Vital Communities (SVC) Grant to organize events, workshops, and training aimed at combating various forms of hate, including anti-Black racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia, anti-2SLGBTQ+ sentiments, and misogyny.
On March 21, United for All held its “Building Bridges Against Hate” event at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre in Ottawa, bringing together key partners such as the City of Ottawa, Ottawa Police Service, and other organizations also benefiting from the SVC grant. The event launched a series of activities focused on fighting hate across Prescott-Russell, Lanark County, Renfrew County, and Ottawa.
The SVC funding will help equip community leaders with the tools to address hate incidents and promote anti-hate advocacy in their communities. United for All aims to create a ripple effect by training local leaders who can spread their knowledge and create more allies in the fight against hate.
“As the climate around hate and division intensifies in Ottawa and surrounding areas, we must come together as individuals, local organizations, and communities to address the root causes of hate,” said Cameron Ketchum, Director of Community Initiatives at United Way East Ontario.
The Ottawa Police Service has reported a rise in hate crime incidents in 2023, with numbers likely underreported. The SVC grant, part of a larger $1.7 million provincial investment to fight hate-motivated crimes in Ontario, will empower local organizations to work together in tackling cultural, ethnic, and faith-based hate in communities.
“We’re grateful to the Solicitor General for this opportunity, and we look forward to seeing the collective impact on our communities,” said Kelly Mertl, Vice President of Community Impact at United Way East Ontario.
(Written by: Emma Butler)