AURORA, ON, March 12, 2019 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is taking action to protect the safety and security of Canadians and to stop gun and gang violence in communities across Canada.

This is why the Government is providing funding to provinces and territories for projects aimed at preventing and intervening in local gang activity for specific areas struggling with high crime, and to continue to provide counseling and support to build stronger communities, under the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence. Today, the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, the Honourable Bill Blair, announced over $11 million over two years in funding to support Ontario's Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy (GGVRS).

The GGVRS will focus on the prevention, intervention, enforcement, and prosecution of gun and gang violence in communities. The funding received from the federal government will help Ontario create and deliver prevention and intervention initiatives for women, youth and young adults. A number of initiatives will also support the development and delivery of community-based Indigenous-specific programs designed to reduce violence and promote healing in Indigenous Communities.

Ontario will also use the funding to support enforcement activities across the province to address existing, emerging and underlying gun and gang issues.

Quotes

"Every police officer knows that you cannot merely arrest your way out of complex community problems. Supporting initiatives that address the root causes of gun and gang violence and developing crime prevention methods at the local level will help all Canadians feel safe in their communities. Our government is committed to working with community partners and law enforcement to support the excellent work being done to reduce risk, keep our neighbourhoods safe and help all of youth reach their full potential."

- The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Border Services and Organized Crime Reduction

"Our government is listening to communities and supporting them in their fight to stop gun crime and dismantle gangs across Ontario. We will always stand up for law-abiding citizens, local police and prosecutors to keep the people of Ontario safe and protect young people from gang activity."

- The Honourable Caroline Mulroney, Attorney General of Ontario.

"We're going to fight gun and gang violence right across Ontario. Our plan will protect our families from criminals and stand up for victims of crime."

-The Honourable Sylvia Jones, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Quick Facts

The Government of Canada invested $327.6 million over five years to help support a variety of initiatives to reduce gun crime and criminal gang activities under the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence.

invested over five years to help support a variety of initiatives to reduce gun crime and criminal gang activities under the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence. From the $327.6 million , $214 million will be made available to the provinces and territories through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund over a period of five years. Through this fund, over the full five years, Ontario will receive a total of $65 million .

, will be made available to the provinces and territories through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund over a period of five years. Through this fund, over the full five years, will receive a total of . The Government of Canada also invested an additional $8 million over the next four years in the Youth Gang Prevention Fund beginning in 2019 under the National Crime Prevention Strategy as part of its commitment to community funding under the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence.

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For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

For further information: Marie-Emmanuelle Cadieux, Senior Communications Advisor, Office of the Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]

Related Links

https://www.publicsafety.gc.ca

