YELLOWKNIFE, November 8, 2004 -- Today the Honourable Ethel Blondin-Andrew, Minister of State (Northern Development) and Member of Parliament for Western Arctic, on behalf of the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, along with the Honourable Charles Dent, Minister of Justice for the Northwest Territories, announced more than $484,000 in support of 22 community-based crime prevention initiatives in the Northwest Territories. "With a new focus on the North from our government and the hard work of community members from Fort Simpson to Tuktoyaktuk, the future is bright," said Minister Blondin-Andrew. "Working together to make communities safer requires commitment, perseverance and resiliency, qualities that are reflected in each of these 22 projects." "The Government of the Northwest Territories is pleased to partner with the federal government on this initiative," said Minister Dent. "Crime prevention is an important part of our approach to community-crime prevention. I'm confident that these projects will help youth and others make positive choices." 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. 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 4,000 projects nationwide. For more information, please call the following contacts, view the attached backgrounder or visit our website: www.prevention.gc.ca - 30 - For further information: Guenther Laube Regional Director National Crime Prevention Strategy Tel: (867) 920-6703 Media Relations Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada Tel: (613) 991-0657 Pierre Collin Special Assistant -- Communications Office of the Minister of State (Northern Development) Tel: (819) 994-7626 Backgrounder Building Safer Communities -- The National Crime Prevention Strategy The National Crime Prevention Strategy at Work in the Northwest Territories Police, courts and correctional services cost our governments $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, economic and psychological 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 the Northwest Territories, 22 projects have recently received approximately $484,000 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: Northslave Region YWCA of Yellowknife has received $29,925 for its Project Child Recovery initiative. This project aims to provide practical support and skill-building activities to at-risk children (5 to 15 years of age) who have witnessed violence in their home. In doing so, it provides a safe place for children to express emotional issues, understand how violence has affected them, and learn non-violent problem-solving skills, including safety planning. For more information, call [(867) 920-2777]. Southslave Region Lutsel K'e Dene Band- Lutsel K'e, NT has received $49,590 to implement the "On the Land Healing Program." This project aims to strengthen relationships in the community by addressing issues from the past that are having an impact upon people's ability to lead healthy lives. Through On the Land community healing camps, youth and adults will participate in workshops that will encourage them to recognize personal behaviours necessary for positive social development, and to support each other and their community. The camp will also include activities focused on youth currently diverted to the local justice system. For more information, call [867) 695-2577]. Deh Cho Region With a contribution of $10,001 the Deh Cho Friendship Centre -Fort Simpson FASD Working Group has developed the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Conference. Through this investment, the Working Group will organize a Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Conference entitled "Secondary Disabilities: Supporting the Environment." The focus of the conference will be upon positive methods of intervention and how the FASD Working Group can provide support for successful integration of affected individuals. For more information, call [(867) 695-2577]. Sahtu Region Woodblock Music Society (Fort Good Hope) is receiving $12,800 for its project: Bringing the Community Together through Music. To help address the youth-related crime in the area, this project will offer music lessons to youth and other members of the community as a way of building relationships and providing a positive outlet for youth to be productive and creative. This project will enable youth to meet and work with others in a safe environment that promotes creativity, learning, and sharing. Using music as a medium to bring youth together provides an opportunity for peer support and positive interaction.j
