GOVERNMENT OF CANADA AND ONTARIO COMMUNITIES WORKING TOGETHER AGAINST CRIME

THOROLD, May 17, 2001 -– Communities across Ontario are joining with the Government of Canada in finding creative ways to reduce crime and victimization. The Honourable Anne McLellan, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada today announced that more than $6.7 million have been awarded under the National Strategy on Community Safety and Crime Prevention to help fund 156 crime prevention initiatives in the province.

Minister McLellan also announced that over $73,000 would be provided to projects in the province through the Policy Centre for Victims Rights, as part of a federal initiative to increase the confidence of victims of crime in the criminal justice system.

"The Government of Canada is committed to tackling the root causes of crime and to dealing with the factors that can lead individuals down the path toward criminal activity in the first place," said Minister McLellan. "I am pleased to see the National Strategy working side-by-side with communities across this province to ensure that local solutions are put in place for local problems."

The National Strategy is built on the common-sense principle that the best way to reduce crime is to focus on the factors that put individuals at risk – for example, family violence, school problems and drug abuse. With a focus on early-intervention, the National Strategy recognizes the complex social, economic, and cultural processes that contribute to crime and victimization. As such, it is a fundamental component of the Government’s public safety agenda, which balances a vigorous response to crime with a determined attack on the root causes of crime.

The projects announced today will help Ontario communities develop and implement grass-roots responses to crime and safety problems. Through local action, these initiatives are intended to reduce crime, increase public safety and enhance public awareness about the causes of crime.

"These projects represent a sound investment in our communities, particularly in young people," added Minister McLellan. "I am delighted to see that those projects directed towards youth and developed by youth figure prominently."

Phase II of the National Strategy, announced on June 2, 1998, by the Department of Justice and Solicitor General Canada, includes $32 million per year of federal funding to help Canadians undertake crime prevention initiatives in their communities.

Funding for these projects is being provided under the National Strategy’s Community Mobilization Program, which is jointly administered by the Government of Canada and the province of Ontario, and its Crime Prevention Partnership Program. It was provided for in the February 2000 budget and is therefore built into the existing financial framework.

Since its launch, the National Strategy has supported 356 projects in Ontario.

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John Howard Society of Kingston and District received $49,975 for their Mentoring Project. The project will help prevent crime among children of offenders by employing one-on-one mentoring to reduce key factors contributing to crime, including: low self-esteem, poor school performance/attendance, substance abuse, and unemployment. [(613) 542-7373]

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The Salvation Army in Kingston has received $50,000 for its Support & Advocacy for Family Enrichment (S.A.F.E.) project. This initiative will provide counselling services and social activities for Kingston and area families who are affected by the incarceration of one of its members. The initiative will also assist these families in relocating in the Kingston area with information on housing, rent applications, day care, transportation, etc. The aim is to promote family cohesion through increased parenting skills, family activities, education and emotional support. [(613) 549-2676]

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The Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic District School Board of Kingston has received $49,885 for its Boys Youth Group – Violence Prevention Initiative. The project will help boys between the ages of 10 and 14 years old who have behavioural problems at school. It will show them how to handle difficult situations in a non-violent way by providing counselling, seminars and presentations and by the establishment of violence-free zones within their schools. [(613) 544-3361]

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