The federal government says will make it easier for religious and cultural groups to get financial help to improve security in and around their buildings.
Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says the government plans to ease application requirements and expand the list of eligible projects available for schools, community centres and places of worship.
The $1 million a year program funds up to half of project costs to a maximum of $100,000.
The changes take effect Dec. 1.
Goodale says the changes are a result of concerns raised to MPs and a recent spate of hate crimes in Canada, including in Ottawa, where Jewish and Muslim community centres and places of worship were targeted with graffiti.
He says the concerns about a rise in hate crimes in Britain following the Brexit vote and the rhetoric during the recent American election did not trigger discussions about changes to the security program