WINNIPEG – March 11, 2014 — Today, the Honourable Steven Blaney. Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, issued a statement following his visit to the Canadian Centre for Child Protection (CCCP), a non-profit, charitable organization dedicated to reducing child victimization and providing programs and services to the Canadian public to help protect children on-line.
“I would like to thank the CCCP for the opportunity to tour the Centre and see first-hand the important work they do. Through the CCCP’s public awareness activities, education program (Kids in the Know), national missing children program (MissingKids.ca), program to prevent child sexual abuse (Commit2Kids), and Cybertip.ca, Canada’s national tipline for the public to report suspected cases of online child sexual exploitation, they are making significant progress to keep our children safe.
Our Government has also recently taken action aimed at combatting cyberbullying among our youth by launching the StopHatingOnline campaign to raise awareness of the impact and serious consequences of cyberbullying. As a partner in combatting cyberbullying, the CCCP launched the NeedHelpNow.ca website, designed to help youth who have been negatively impacted by the creation and distribution of sexual pictures or videos online.
Addressing child victimization on-line requires a comprehensive approach by all levels of government, educators, non-governmental organizations, police, parents and youth. The Government of Canada will continue to work with all partners to help our children stay safe on-line,” said Minister Blaney.
“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to welcome Minister Blaney to The Canadian Centre for Child Protection. Our shared commitment to the safety of children resulted in encouraging discussions about ways to further protect Canada’s children,” said Lianna McDonald, Executive Director, the Canadian Centre for Child Protection.
In 2009, the Government of Canada announced a renewed commitment to work with our partners through the National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation on the Internet. This initiative has played an important role in helping to make sure young people on-line stay safe and that we take action to crack down on sexual predators. The Government has invested $71 million over five years to support the National Strategy.
For further information:
Jason Tamming
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-991-2924
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657