Federal support for Ryerson University study to counter radicalization to violence

From: Public Safety Canada

News Release

February 20, 2018
Toronto, ON
Public Safety Canada

Today Michael Levitt, Member of Parliament for York Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced nearly $546,000 from the Community Resilience Fund to support a research initiative working to evaluate approaches to countering radicalization to violence in Canada.

Ryerson University received funding over two years for its project Developing Canadian Partnerships for Countering Violent Extremism. By studying three different Canadian multi-agency initiatives, this project will develop innovative methods to measure what works best in countering radicalization to violence. The findings will contribute to better resources and training for those who work directly with individuals at high risk of radicalizing to violence.

The Community Resilience Fund is led by the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence, which delivers on Public Safety Canada’s commitment to prevent radicalization to violence.

Quotes

“Radicalization to violence is a complex problem that can be best addressed when experts with diverse backgrounds work together. This initiative will shed light on the critical work against radicalization at the local level and improve the sharing of effective solutions to counter this phenomenon. Such innovative programs will create stronger partnerships that foster safer and more inclusive communities in Canada.”

- Michael Levitt, Member of Parliament for York Centre

“This action-oriented, community-based research aims to promote a greater understanding of the triggers, thresholds and barriers to reporting a friend or family member's involvement in suspected violent extremist activity across the ideological, political and social spectrum. It will inform the work of governments and communities, and help to build community confidence and trust in reporting pathways to authorities.”

- Sara Thompson, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Department of Criminology, Ryerson University

Quick Facts

  • Multi-agency approaches involve representatives from a range of sectors working together to study cases of individuals potentially at high risk of radicalizing to violence, and design an intervention tailored to the person and the local context.

  • The Community Resilience Fund has $2.4 million in funds for existing and new projects in 2017-2018 and $4.4 million in 2018-19. For 2019-20 and beyond, this fund will have $7 million available each year for existing and new projects.

Associated Links

Contacts

Scott Bardsley
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness
613-998-5681
scott.bardsley@canada.ca

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
media@ps-sp.gc.ca

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