The Hon. Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety and Regional Minister for Manitoba, applauded the Government of Canada’s decision to renew the Youth Gang Prevention Fund to support communities and families across Canada. The announcement was made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Surrey, British Columbia.
“Our Government is committed to supporting effective crime prevention initiatives,” said Minister Toews. “Organized criminal gangs are making communities less safe across Canada. The renewal of the Youth Gang Prevention Fund for another five years will allow us to continue to support effective crime prevention initiatives that target at-risk youth and rescue them from the dangerous, dead-end life of gang crime.”
The Youth Gang Prevention Fund was created by the Government of Canada five years ago to reduce youth gang activity and youth violence by investing in community-based prevention programs in communities across Canada that target at-risk youth.
These programs provide:
• Community-based educational and cultural opportunities for at-risk youth, such as enhanced conflict resolution and problem solving skills, as alternatives to gang involvement;
• Positive alternatives to gang involvement through paid, part-time work opportunities and vocational training;
• Homework and school support;
• Opportunities to socialize and participate in recreational activities; and
• Intensive and individualized mentorship to help at-risk youth make positive lifestyle choices, and to care for children with serious emotional, behavioural, and mental health needs and their families.
“I sincerely hope the Opposition will recognize the important accomplishments made by the Youth Gang Prevention Fund over the past five years and will support the program’s renewal,” said Minister Toews.
