Ford government commits $300,000 to combat Islamophobia in schools

Education Minister Stephen Lecce has announced $300,000 in funding for Ontario schools to fight Islamophobia by creating resources for students, parents an teachers. A portion of the funding will also go to National Council of Canadian Muslims to help Muslim newcomers immigrate to Canadian society.

Lecce says that $225,000 will go directly to Ontario schools "to create digital resources for educators, students and parents to raise awareness about Islamophobia. These resources will provide information about Islamic practices, values and misconceptions, root causes of Islamophobia and ways to help end Islamophobia, racism and discrimination," according to the announcement.

$75,000 of the funding "will provide culturally relevant resources to enhance well-being for families and help Muslim students prepare for the return to school in September." The money is part of the larger Safe Return to Class fund.

This is a direct response to the attack that killed four members of a Muslim family and left a 9-year-old boy in hospital. The suspect in the case is currently in jail on terrorism charges.

"It is unacceptable that many Muslim students continue to face discrimination in our schools, on our playgrounds and in communities across this country," said Minister Lecce. "That is why we are investing and partnering with community leaders — who are leading this effort— to counter racism and better support Ontario’s Muslim students and their families. For Premier Ford, Minister Rasheed and myself, we believe in our core that every student deserves to feel safe, respected, and engaged in learning in inclusive classrooms."