MONTREAL, May 6, 2005 - Today the Honourable Anne McLellan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada, and Jacques P. Dupuis, Deputy Premier and Quebec Minister of Public Security, announced more than $6.3 million in support of 187 crime prevention initiatives in Quebec under the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). "The hard work and dedication invested in these projects clearly shows the importance Quebecers place on security and quality of life in their communities," said Minister McLellan. "The Government of Canada is proud to support their efforts and is pleased to see such a strong partnership developing around these initiatives." "I encourage the organizations that have received support as part of today's announcement to continue their work and promote crime prevention on a daily basis. Effective prevention requires a partnership approach to fight growing problems such as street gangs. Cooperation at all levels ¿ municipal, interdepartmental, provincial and federal - is essential to public security," added Minister Dupuis. Through the NCPS, the Government of Canada works in partnership with governments, volunteers, academics, community organizations and others to develop, implement and test crime prevention initiatives. It invests in approaches that help Canadians address the underlying causes of crime and victimization ¿ factors such as family violence, school problems and substance abuse. In Quebec, funding programs under the NCPS are co-managed by the Quebec Minister of Public Security. The funding allocated today will be earmarked for initiatives that include conducting safety audits, developing and implementing prevention measures that are realistic and relevant, and providing individuals with the tools they need to deal with problems such as gang recruitment, violence and substance abuse. Since its launch in June 1998, the NCPS and its partners have supported more than 5,000 projects nationwide, with a particular focus on the following priority groups: children, youth, Aboriginal people and women. In February 2005, the Government of Canada announced an additional $30 million per year over the next three years to renew the NCPS as a key measure to protect Canadians from crime. For more information, please contact the officials below, consult the detailed backgrounder available on the National Crime Prevention Strategy Web site at www.prevention.gc.ca or visit the Quebec Ministère de la Sécurité publique Web site at www.msp.gouv.qc.ca. -30- For further information: Alex Swann Office of the Honourable Anne McLellan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (613) 991-2863 Suzanne Perron Regional Director National Crime Prevention Strategy (514) 233-6976 Marie-Josée Duhamel Press Secretary Cabinet du Ministre de la Sécurité publique (418) 643-2112 Anne-Marie Lessard Communications Advisor Quebec Ministère de la Sécurité publique (418) 528-7796
