HIGHLIGHTS FROM TOWARDS SAFER COMMUNITIES:

A PROGRESS REPORT ON THE SAFE HOMES/SAFE STREETS AGENDA

Dealing with crime is a priority of the Government of Canada. Significant advances have been made, and continue to be made, on the Government's commitment to protect the basic right of all citizens to live in peaceful and safe communities.

The Government has undertaken a comprehensive approach to the problem of crime in Canada -- one that incorporates legislative and non-legislative measures that deal with both the causes and repercussions of crime, particularly violent crime.

This progress report provides an overview of action taken by the Government in dealing with crime. At the heart of the Government's approach is the belief that traditional measures to deal with crime -- law enforcement, the courts, and incarceration -- must be balanced with strong crime prevention efforts which recognize that the communities that are most resistant to crime are those that actively participate in addressing the social and economic factors that can lead to crime.

The following initiatives are some of the highlights along the road Towards Safer Communities:

Strengthening the System: An effective justice system must be focused, responsive and flexible, targeted to demonstrated areas of need, efficient in its operations and cost-effective. Current government efforts on improving the justice system focus on a number of important issues affecting violence and public safety in Canada. These include:

• a new gun control program that focuses on criminal sanctions, banned firearms and a new registration system;
  
  
• a new focus for sentencing that better addresses public safety, makes sentencing more consistent and responsive to the needs of victims and makes crimes motivated by hate subject to longer sentences;
  
  
• a new Criminal Code provision to compel suspects of serious crimes to provide samples for DNA evidence;
  
  
• a new national system for screening child sex abusers to protect children better; and
  
  
• a strengthened parole and corrections system to protect the public from repeat offenders and improve public safety.
  
  

Crime Prevention and Community Involvement: Initiatives that help make communities safer must look beyond the symptoms and address the factors that can contribute to crime. Current initiatives include:

• a new National Strategy for Community Safety and Crime Prevention that provides coordination of new and existing federal efforts and fosters federal-provincial-territorial cooperation; and
  
  
• a new National Crime Prevention Council of 25 volunteers from all provinces and territories to advise governments, share information, educate the public and promote partnerships.
  
  

: The Government of Canada believes that the solution to youth violence must include but go much further than sterner sentences. Public protection must be our paramount goal. Rehabilitation and alternatives to prison must be an important component, helping young people to get their lives back on track and become productive citizens. Prevention must also be part of the equation, addressing the social factors such as poverty, abuse and illiteracy that victimize young people and put them at risk. Recent initiatives include:

• new legislation to reform the Young Offenders Act (YOA) and address the growing problem of youth crime through increased sentences and later parole eligibility for youth murderers;
  
  
• a long term, strategic approach to reform the youth justice system and a thorough review of the YOA aimed at early identification and assistance to prevent youth crime; and
  
  
• new studies dealing with violence in schools, practical guides for Canadian police on youth violence and a new video on young offenders and the justice system.
  
  

Family Violence: This is a problem that continues to affect the most vulnerable in our society, and requires broadly based, focused action. Some recent initiatives include:

• the extension of the Family Violence Initiative to address violence against women, children and seniors in relationships of kinship, intimacy, dependency and trust; and
  
  
• new legislation to make peace bonds more effective in keeping abusers away from women and children including harsher penalties.
  
  

: The federal government has pledged to forge a new relationship with the Aboriginal peoples of Canada, and part of that commitment includes ensuring that Canada's justice system addresses their unique needs and concerns. Some recent initiatives include:

• assisting First Nations communities to address family violence on reserves; and
  
  
• continued negotiation of policing agreements that give First Nations more control over the administration of justice in their communities.
  
  

These are but a few highlights of the Government's ongoing commitment to fight crime in Canada.

For further details on these and other initiatives or for a copy of the report, please contact:

Communications and Consultation Communications Group

Branch Solicitor General Canada

Department of Justice (613) 991-2800

(613) 957-4222

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August 1995