St. Thomas Anglican Church in Brooklin
Five churches and faith-based groups in Whitby are receiving over $42,000 from the province to help tackle hate incidents in their neighborhoods.
The Anti-Hate Security and Prevention grant assists faith-based and cultural organizations in putting safety measures into place, such as hiring security guards, making building upgrades, and installing surveillance cameras to keep their community spaces safe.
The funding for Durham is part of a larger $12.75 million allocation from Queen’s Park aimed at safeguarding churches and religious organizations from discrimination and hate.
“Our faith community in Whitby plays an essential role in fostering the well-being and togetherness of our residents,” said Whitby MPP Lorne Coe. “It’s crucial that we protect these organizations.”
Whitby Christian Assembly and Chabad Jewish Centre of Durham Region each received the maximum amount of $10,000, while St. Leo the Great Parish, Brooklin United Church, and St. Thomas’ Church Brooklin were each awarded $7,500.
“God willing, we hope for a time when we can live peacefully together and programs like this won’t be needed,” said Rabbi Tzali Borenstein of the Chabad Jewish Centre of Durham Region. “For now, though, this support is both essential and comforting to our community as it allows us to enhance our security systems and training.”
Since 2021, the province has contributed over $98 million to assist more than 3,000 faith-based and cultural communities through this grant.
“In times when hate tries to divide us and many feel unsafe, your support shows that love wins out, light triumphs over darkness, and community matters,” said Rev. Douglas Barnes of St. Thomas’ Church in Brooklin. “We appreciate your backing as we work on promoting unity, kindness, understanding while ensuring a safe space for everyone.”
Nearly a dozen hate crimes made headlines in 2025 across 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 discovered in Whitby (May) Art gallery defaced with racist anti-Black graffiti (May) Woman charged following machete attack on woman wearing a Hijab in Ajax (March) Nazi vandalism at Courtice park labeled a ‘small-minded act’ – Clarington mayor (March) Police searching for man wanted for hate crime at Oshawa high school (February) Swastikas carved into Whitby Library viewed as ‘direct attack on Jewish community’ – mayor (February)
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