SUMMERLAND, November 13, 2004 -- Today the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, along with the Honourable Rick Thorpe, Minister of Provincial Revenue, on behalf of the Honourable Rich Coleman, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General of British Columbia, announced $481,628 in support of 15 community-based crime prevention initiatives in British Columbia's Interior Region, and one project in Victoria, BC. "These projects demonstrate the aspirations of Canadians for safer, stronger communities," said Minister McLellan. "The Government of Canada is proud to sponsor these innovative initiatives - many of which focus on youth. I know that working together, in partnership, we can achieve a future of hope and opportunity." "We're working together to get youth involved in crime prevention programs at the community level," said B.C. Solicitor General Rich Coleman. "When they have both programs and the support of their communities they are much less likely to get involved in gangs and other criminal activities." Many of the projects announced today focus on Canada's future - youth. The initiatives are diverse, ranging from a Summerland endeavour that will use entrepreneurship and the support of business to make positive changes in young people's lives to a project in Seton Lake that will provide opportunities for Aboriginal youth to learn about traditional values and ways of living. Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, the Government of Canada helps communities develop projects and partnerships that will prevent crime from happening in the first place. It takes an early-intervention approach to prevention and community safety, supporting grass-roots responses that deal with the underlying causes of crime and victimization, such as family violence, gang recruitment and substance abuse, particularly as they affect children and youth, Aboriginal people and communities, and the personal security of women and girls. The National Strategy provides community organizations with financial support, as well as tools, knowledge, and expertise on effective crime prevention activities. Launched in 1998, the National Crime Prevention Strategy has built on the strengths of partnerships to support more than 4,300 projects nationwide. For more information, please call the following contacts, view the attached backgrounder or visit the National Crime Prevention Strategy's website: www.prevention.gc.ca. - 30 - For further information: Vera Lagasse Regional Director National Crime Prevention Strategy Tel: (604) 897-0553 Alex Swann Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Tel: (613) 991-2863 Backgrounder The National Crime Prevention Strategy at Work in British Columbia Building Safer Communities - The National Crime Prevention Strategy Police, courts, and correctional services cost our governments approximately $10 billion each year. But this amount represents only a portion of the total cost of crime. If the personal and physical costs are included, such as the pain and suffering of victims or lost productivity, the cost of crime in Canada has been estimated to be $59 billion per year. There are other costs that cannot be quantified. Crime hurts people and makes them feel unsafe; it decreases our quality of life; and it changes the face of our communities. The ripple effects of crime touch all areas of our lives, including health, social services, education, labour and employment. The National Crime Prevention Strategy is built on the common-sense principle that the surest way to reduce crime is to focus on the factors that put individuals at risk. The National Strategy was launched in June 1998 to assist Canadians in developing community-based approaches that address problems of crime and victimization, particularly as they affect children and youth, Aboriginal people and communities, and the personal security of women and girls. Through the National Strategy, the Government of Canada works with other levels of government, community groups, and other key partners across Canada to develop partnerships and initiatives that create and sustain safer communities. The National Crime Prevention Strategy provides support and resources to help communities deal with social and economic factors that contribute to crime and victimization, including family violence, social isolation, and drug and alcohol abuse. By helping to raise awareness of, and build support for, a “Crime Prevention through Social Development” approach, its activities help communities understand and address the circumstances that can lead some individuals to become offenders, or victims, of crime. Mobilizing Partners to Prevent Crime Safe and peaceful communities are highly valued by Canadians. The National Crime Prevention Strategy is designed to enhance Canadians’ feelings of safety and security in their homes and communities by linking 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. The National Strategy, through its Community Mobilization Program, helps Canadians develop comprehensive, sustainable, locally relevant approaches to crime prevention and undertake a range of activities to involve others in understanding and addressing the root causes of crime. The Government of Canada and the provinces and territories jointly manage this federal funding program. Through the other components of the National Strategy, the Government of Canada works with partners in the non-governmental, volunteer, and business communities to develop tools and approaches that will contribute to our national body of knowledge and resources about how to create safer, healthier, vibrant communities on a long-term basis. Partnerships in Action In British Columbia, 16 projects have recently received $481,628 through the National Crime Prevention Strategy. Many of these initiatives focus on relationship building. Connecting people and strengthening communities is fundamental to crime prevention through social development, and is at the heart of the National Crime Prevention Strategy. Examples of some projects supported under the Strategy are: Building on the success of its Business Asset Development Project, the Summerland Chamber of Economic Development and Tourism (SCED&T) has received $40,000 for the project, An Entrepreneurial Model for Social Development. This project aims to reduce at-risk behaviour in youth by providing entrepreneurship opportunities and training. For more information, call (250) 494-2686. These activities are also linked to the Effectiveness Study – Positive Youth Development Centre project, sponsored by the Centre for Community Health Promotion Research-University of Victoria. Through a series of reports and rigorous evaluation methods, this project will examine the value of using a Positive Youth Development (PYD) approach to lower high-risk behaviour among youth. The PYD approach focuses on the development of community support to assist youth in realizing their full potential. This project has received $50,000 in funding support from the National Strategy. For more information, call (250) 472-4102. The Princeton and District Child and Youth Committee has received $12,000 for their Princeton After School Initiative. This project aims to provide a safe place for youth after school hours. Youth will learn about issues such as: bullying, substance abuse, and safe neighborhoods. For more information, call (250) 295-7222. Kamloops Metis Family Services has received $5,000 for its project, Youth Crime Needs Assessment. This project aims to conduct a needs assessment for youth 19 and under, who reside in the Kamloops area. The needs assessment will raise awareness about youth issues and help identify priorities for youth in Aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities. For more information, call (250) 554-9486. More information about the National Crime Prevention Strategy can be found at our website: www.prevention.gc.ca.
