Canadians deserve to be safe in their communities. That’s why the Government of Canada has a comprehensive plan that gets guns off our streets and resources into our neighborhoods. A central part of this involves adding resources to fight crime and prevent violence from happening in the first place.

“The safety and security of Canadians is our government’s top priority. The best way to keep people safe is to stop crime and violence before it starts. Today’s announcement will give additional resources to law enforcement, support young people in making good choices and help our communities thrive. Strong prevention strategies like these are a central pillar in our plan to ensure Canadians are safe in their communities."

-       The Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety

“Communities across the country, including here in Newfoundland and Labrador, deserve to be and feel safe. This funding of more than 3 million dollars for the province will help reduce gun violence, keep our neighborhoods secure and save lives.”

-       The Honourable Helena Jaczek, Minister of Public Services and Procurement and Member of Parliament for Markham-Stouffville

“This funding will allow St. John’s East, along with the rest of Newfoundland and Labrador, to take proactive steps to build better, inclusive, and safer communities. With this funding being distributed at the provincial-level, we are making sure to tackle violence with a local and community-oriented lens to ensure it has the biggest impact.”

-       Joanne Thompson, Member of Parliament for St. John’s East

“The safety and well-being of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians is of the utmost importance. Our government is supportive of recent announcements by the Federal Government to strengthen gun control and gun safety in our country. We look forward to working with police agencies and communities to utilize this funding to build on the work being done by our government to enhance public safety in the province.”

-       The Honourable John Hogan, KC, Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Attorney General, Member for Windsor Lake

“As the dedicated members of the RNC combat organized crime networks across our province, it is critical that they have the tools required to support their investigations. In recent years, we have seen our police service dismantle a firearm manufacturing operation, target drug trafficking networks, and remove illegal weapons from our communities. Together with the RCMP, we will continue to pursue and remove criminal networks and illegal weapons from our province. The Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund provides the opportunity to progress our resources in support of these efforts.”

-       Patrick Roche, Royal Newfoundland Constabulary Police Chief

• Gun and gang-related crime continues to be a serious issue in Canada and the ITAAGGV is making a positive difference since the program began. 

• ITAAGGV recipients reported that their projects were producing positive impacts relative to their objectives and to the communities, populations or stakeholders served by their projects.

• ITAAGGV funding helped enhance the RCMP’s Integrated Criminal Firearms Initiative (ICFI), expanding the services available to law enforcement to better combat the use of illegal firearms and improve the national collection, analysis and sharing of firearms-related intelligence and information. 

• ITAAGGV funding has also supported enhancements to CBSA’s detection technology, equipment and infrastructure to help prevent firearms from coming into the country illegally.

• ITAAGGV investments are complemented by the $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF). First announced in March 2022, the BSCF provides funding directly to municipalities and Indigenous communities to support local initiatives that prevent gun and gang violence and help young people make good choices.

Related products

• Government announces $390 million to help stop crime and violence
• Major new federal funding and summit to tackle gun violence and gang activity
• New investments to help end gun and gang violence in Canada
• Government of Canada delivers on plan to build safer communities and reduce firearms violence
• Further strengthening our gun control laws
• Government takes action to prevent gun violence with $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund

Associated links

• Gun and Gang Violence
• Firearms
• Homicide in Canada, 2021
• Youth Gang Prevention Fund

Audrey Champoux
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
Audrey.Champoux@ps-sp.gc.ca

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