Winnipeg, January 11, 2007 -- The Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, today announced $16.1 million in funding, which includes $5 million announced on behalf of Rob Nicholson, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, to support initiatives that target youth at risk.
The funding supports Canada's new government's commitment to help communities prevent youth crime with a focus on guns, gangs, and drugs. The funding will be allocated as follows:
- $11.1 M to create a Youth Gang Prevention Fund at the National Crime Prevention Centre (NCPC); and
- $5 M to enhance the Youth Justice Fund at the Department of Justice.
“To keep our communities safe, we are taking a balanced approach by focusing on law enforcement and crime prevention,” said Minister Day. “We want to help youth at risk make smarter choices and prevent them from engaging in more serious criminal activities.”
“Many youth who are already involved in crime may turn to more serious offences, including those involving guns, gangs and drugs,” said Minister Nicholson. “We are committed to providing youth with opportunities aimed at preventing their involvement in these crimes.”
The Youth Gang Prevention Fund provides funding for anti-gang initiatives in communities where youth gangs are an existing or emerging threat. It supports the development and implementation of local interventions aimed at youth who are in gangs or at risk of joining gangs.
Under this fund, the NCPC works with provinces and territories to identify those communities most affected by gang-related problems. Funding will be directed to community-based organizations and municipalities that are addressing these issues.
The enhancements to the Youth Justice Fund will support initiatives to implement tailored approaches for individual youth identified by the justice system or by their parents/legal guardians as currently or likely to be involved with guns, gangs and drugs.
See also:
For further information:
Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863
Media Relations
Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada
613-991-0657
Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207