SAINT JOHN, NEW BRUNSWICK, August, 20, 2012 — Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada's Public Safety Minister, and Rodney Weston, MP for Saint John, met with stakeholders to discuss the government's efforts to prevent crime in our communities. Minister Toews also announced that the Harper government is providing close to $300,000 through the Crime Prevention Action Fund to support the Equipping for Crime Prevention project in New Brunswick. This project will provide crime prevention professionals with the resources needed to contribute to reducing crime involving at-risk youth, chronic offenders, and Aboriginal persons.
“Today's discussion will help our government continue to move forward in its goal of keeping Canadians safe,” said Minister Toews. “The funding I announced today will support an important program right here in New Brunswick. Our government has made strong progress in helping keep Canadian streets and communities safe, thanks in part through its close collaboration with law enforcement partners, governments at all levels, and other stakeholders.”
Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, the Harper government has provided funding to successful initiatives, such as Equipping for Crime Prevention, which assists in the development of a New Brunswick crime prevention and reduction strategy. The government has also provided more than $ 1.1 million in support to the Nogemag Youth Program, which helps at-risk youth from the Elsipogtog First Nation.
“Our government is committed to working closely with our provincial, territorial and community partners to clean up our streets and continue to improve our communities,” said MP Weston.
Canada's Economic Action Plan included $7.5 million of annual funding to renew the Youth Gang Prevention Fund (YGPF). On February 21, 2012, the Government of Canada launched the next phase of the YGPF, which will continue to support crime prevention initiatives that address youth violence and youth gangs.
About the National Crime Prevention Strategy:
The National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) is administered by Public Safety Canada. The strategy provides funding support to selected projects that help prevent crime and increase knowledge about what works in crime prevention. It is a part of the Government's plan to tackle crime in order to build stronger, safer communities. The NCPS's priorities are:
- addressing early risk factors among vulnerable children, youth, and young adults;
- preventing recidivism among high-risk offenders;
- fostering crime prevention in Aboriginal and Northern communities;
- preventing youth gang and drug-related crime; and
- funding security enhancements to help reduce incidents of hate-motivated crime.
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For further information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
Julie Carmichael
A/ Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2865
