ONTARIO, CANADA, July 28, 2007: Representatives of the Hindu Samaj Temple received Can$17,000 from the provincial government, last week, but they are still waiting for further financial help to eliminate their $300,000 debt created when they had to rebuild their new temple was destroyed after a 2001 arson. “We have not given up (to receive) the capital funding help,” said Nithy Ananth, who is co-coordinating the temple’s funding. Stoney Creek Liberal MPP Jennifer Mossop announced last week the provincial government gave $17,000 to the Hindu Samaj Temple to expand its yoga program. The money came from the province’s Communities In Action Fund. Mr. Ananth said temple officials have also applied for further provincial funding, estimated to be between $20,000 to $40,000 that would be used to expand the facility’s heritage education program into the Hamilton community. Mr. Ananth said an announcement could be made within six weeks.
“We are confident the funding is available,” he said. The Liberal government provided the temple in 2005 with $31,000. Temple officials, and Hamilton East NDP MPP Andrea Horwath, this spring criticized the Liberal government for ignoring its capital financial problems after it was revealed the Liberals had distributed about $32 million to various Liberal-friendly faith organizations. They argued the Liberals “deceived and misled” them about the availability of government funding which temple officials have been seeking since their $1.8 million Temple was destroyed by arson Sept. 15, 2001. The temple was re-built, but the community still has a $300,000 bank loan to pay back and $50,000 in capital commitments. The community received $400,000 from insurance, $120,000 from the federal government, and $10,000 from the city of Hamilton to rebuild the temple. “This program is not just for Hindus,” he said. “It’s for people of all faiths. We are trying to include younger people. If you can breathe, you can do yoga.” Dr. Deonanarian will also be offering a yoga summer camp next month for the fourth time. Last year it attracted about 40 youths from all over Ontario.” (The temple) is not just about religion,” said Mr. Ananth. “It’s also a cultural community center that is open to other people. This (center) belongs to the entire community.”