Building Safer Communities

Safe and peaceful communities are highly valued by Canadians. The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) is part of the Government of Canada's framework to help enhance the safety and security of Canadians in their homes and communities.

The NCPS links the best of local, national, and international knowledge about “what works” to prevent crime and victimization with people and organizations who are ready to put this knowledge into action. It does this by developing and sharing knowledge on effective approaches to building safer communities, and by providing funding support to help communities apply, test and evaluate promising practices in crime prevention through social development.

The NCPS is an investment in a social development approach to building safer, healthier communities. It helps Canadians to address the social and economic factors that can lead some individuals to become offenders, or victims of crime. At the same time, the Strategy supports communities in identifying their strengths, and building on the positive, protective factors that exist in individuals, families and organizations.

Partnerships in Action
The goals of the NCPS are being achieved with the active participation and assistance of partners in the non-governmental, volunteer and business communities. By working in partnership, thousands of Canadians are undertaking a range of activities to involve others in understanding and addressing the root causes of crime, and developing comprehensive, sustainable, locally relevant approaches to enhance safety and security. 

Twenty-nine Saskatchewan communities have recently received over $1.1 million through the NCPS. Connecting people and strengthening communities is fundamental to crime prevention through social development, and are at the heart of these initiatives. Examples of some projects supported under the Strategy are:

Regina Region
The Action Committee for Children at Risk (ACCAR) along with Safety Services Inc., and Oyate Safe House has received $50,000 for its second phase project, Talking/Sharing Circles, Phase II. The purpose of this project is to provide safety and support to predominantly First Nation and Metis children and youth aged 12 to 18, who are victims of sexual exploitation through the sex trade. Together with families, Elders, youth, and community facilitators, youth are assisted through cultural approaches that increase their resiliency to address the risks associated with the sex trade and gain strength to exit the trade through support, information and healing. For more information contact Brenda Dubois at: (306) 766-7591.

Prince Albert Region
The Prince Albert Youth Outreach Program Inc.'s Warrior Spirit Walking project has received $50,000 to assist them in creating and developing a youth-driven gang awareness initiative. A variety of strategies are used to help youth resist gang involvement and recruitment, and provide education and support for exiting, while encouraging positive lifestyle choices. For more information contact Peggy Rubin at: (306) 953-4822.

Northern Region
The New North-Saskatchewan Association of Northern Communities (SANC) Services Inc. has received $24,500 for its project Northern Communities: Responding to Violent Crime and Victimization. Funding for this project supports Northern communities in helping at-risk women and girls who suffer from isolation and inadequate resources, and provides tools to build community awareness against violence targeting women and girls. This initiative will educate the community by providing information and skills to reduce victimization and increase community safety and partnership between remote Northern communities. For more information contact Al Loke at: (306) 425-5505.