Home Newsroom 2005 News releases (archive) 2005-10-14: Government of Canada invests more than $4 million in crime prevention initiatives in Ontario

Government of Canada invests more than $4 million in crime prevention initiatives in Ontario

Toronto, October 14, 2005 -- Today the Honourable Joseph Volpe, Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, on behalf of the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, along with the Honourable Monte Kwinter, Ontario Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, announced more than $4 million in funding to 93 community-based initiatives in Ontario under the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS).

“The Government of Canada is proud to be supporting and working with the people of Ontario in their efforts to make our communities stronger and safer,” said Minister Volpe. “These projects demonstrate that when we work together, we have the capacity to find creative and realistic solutions to the challenges facing our communities.”

“Effective crime prevention initiatives are key aspects of our plan to strengthen Ontario,” said Minister Kwinter. “We work closely with our community and police partners to put in place projects that will make our communities safer and empower Ontarians in the fight against crime.”

Among the projects included in today's announcement are initiatives to strengthen community networks, identify and develop realistic and relevant prevention measures, and support individuals dealing with violence.  A good example of such a project is “Medicine Wheel – A Multicultural Arts Youth Initiative”, sponsored by the Native Men’s Residence (Na-Me-Res). This arts-based recreation and mentoring initiative will give at-risk youth the skills necessary to play more positive and productive roles in their community, and thereby reduce the potential for criminality.

As part of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, the National Crime Prevention Centre administers the NCPS, which helps governments and communities demonstrate the benefits of enhanced personal and public safety. The Centre works in partnership with volunteers, academics, governments, foundations, community organizations and others to develop, implement and evaluate methods, which help to prevent crime from happening in the first place.

Launched in 1998, and building on the strengths of partnerships to support over 5000 projects nationwide, the National Crime Prevention Strategy has made a real difference in the lives of Canadians. The NCPS helps enhance personal and public safety by investing in approaches that deal with the underlying causes of crime and victimization - factors such as family distress, bullying, or substance abuse.

In February 2005, the Government of Canada announced an additional $90 million over three years to renew the NCPS as a key measure to protect Canadians from crime and victimization.

See also:

• The National Crime Prevention Strategy at work in the Ontario

For further information:

Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
(613) 991-0657

Alex Swann
Director of Communications
Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
(613) 991-2863

Nicola Epprecht
A/Regional Manager (Ontario)
National Crime Prevention Strategy
(416) 952-0395