Wednesday, July 28, 2010 Money to pay for lighting, surveillance, fencing
Liam Casey Staff Reporter
After the second fire bombing in six months, resident monks at a Scarborough Buddhist temple scrambled to get a security fence. But they needed money — $55,000 to be exact.
Mohinder Sallan, a member of the Buddhist community, offered an interest-free loan to cover the cost of a fence, electronic gate and 24-hour video surveillance.
On Tuesday, the federal government granted more than $60,000 to three Toronto-area institutions as part of its Security Infrastructure Pilot Program, including $43,620 to the Toronto Maha Vihara Buddhist centre. The money is given out to protect institutions against hate crimes.
“Now we don’t have any problems because we have a security fence and the cameras,” said Ben Seneviratne, vice-president of the Toronto Maha Vihara Society. “I don’t think those people will come again.”
The monks began raising money after the first fire, which caused $200,000 in damages on May 16, 2009. While that was covered by insurance, the monks had to pay to protect their temple.
“The unfortunate reality is that Canada is not immune from violent acts that target individuals or groups based on their race, culture, religion or identity,” Public Safety Minister Vic Toews said Tuesday in making the funding announcement.
The attacks on the temple coincided with significant events between the Tamil Tigers and the military in Sri Lanka. Toronto police deemed both incidents arson hate crimes, which remain unsolved, said Staff Sgt. Jim Farrell.
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