November 9, 2005
Toronto, Ontario
Prime Minister Paul Martin today outlined a package of measures to crack down on violent gun crimes and gang violence in Canada and help those communities at risk, including proposed amendments to the Criminal Code, actions to cut down on the number of guns on Canada's streets and social investments aimed at reducing crime at its source.
"Violent gun crime and gangsterism is not something we can accept nor something any community in Canada should be asked to endure," said Prime Minister Paul Martin. "The Government's approach recognizes the complexity of these issues. Shortly, the Minister of Justice will be announcing changes to the Criminal Code to increase mandatory minimum sentences for certain firearms-related offences. In addition, the Government, in consultation with the provinces, will report back on every possible option to address the supply of illegal weapons and ammunition."
The Government of Canada's plan is rooted in three areas:
Tougher Sentences In addition to increasing the mandatory minimums, the Minister of Justice is currently working with his provincial colleagues to ensure that punishments for key gun crimes continue to meet the challenges facing our communities all across Canada.
Combating Gang Violence - The Government of Canada is creating a $50 million Gun Violence and Gang Prevention Fund, a fourth pillar to the National Crime Prevention Strategy, that will provide new program funding, over the next five years, to organizations and governments working to reduce gun violence and gang activity. The new fund will support community-based prevention and intervention projects targeting guns and gangs in Canada's urban centers. Funding will be provided for a broad range of projects, including initiatives that prevent youth from entering gangs and assist them in exiting gangs.
Assisting Communities at Risk - The Government of Canada is also providing additional funding for community-based youth justice projects in Toronto through a $1 million topping up of the City and Community Partnership component of the Youth Justice Renewal Fund. Additionally, the Government announced three programs, funded at $2.6 million, currently being administered through our Youth Employment Strategy. Two are currently underway; one of these is new, a $1.9 million program being administered by the City of Toronto. These are part of $122 million in funding which has already been dedicated in Youth Employment Strategy programming to help youth at-risk across the country. These programs assist multi-barriered Toronto youth with acquiring skills, participating in community service activities and becoming contributing members of their communities.
Speaking with David Miller, Mayor of Toronto, the Prime Minister focused on the need to work in partnership with other levels of government, community leadership and law enforcement agencies to target at risk youth and lend support to the communities where they live.
"Under our plan, we will enhance existing partnerships with provinces and municipalities to find innovative solutions to gun and gang problems occurring across Canada," said Prime Minister Martin. "I firmly believe that working as partners and by lending support to the communities at risk, we can make a difference in the lives of youth across the country and make our communities a safer place to live."
The initiatives announced today build on existing Government of Canada measures designed to ensure safe communities across Canada, including the recently-tabled bill on conditional sentencing as well as on-going funding under programs such as the National Crime Prevention Strategy.
Backgrounder - Government of Canada's Response to Combat Gun Violence
Backgrounder - Community-Based Youth Justice Projects in Toronto
Backgrounder - Service Canada Projects
