The Government of Canada yesterday announced a grant for Durham Region to help get guns off the streets and put more resources into community safety.
An important element of this work is stopping violence before it starts, which is why the government launched the $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF). First announced in March 2022, the BSCF supports local initiatives that prevent gun and gang violence and help young people make good choices, said a statement.
Mark Holland, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Member of Parliament for Ajax, on behalf of the Marco Mendicino, Minister of Public Safety, yesterday announced that Durham Region will receive up to $4.3 million from the BSCF.
This funding will help address the underlying conditions that give rise to crime. The region will distribute it to community-led projects for young people involved in gangs or at risk of joining them – helping them set themselves up for success in life, said the statement.
No single program or initiative can tackle the challenge of gun crime on its own. The BSCF is one of many elements in the government’s plan to keep Canadians safe, it added.
Actions on guns
Canada has added resources at the borders to fight smuggling and stop guns from coming into the country. The government banned assault-style firearms like the AR-15 two years ago and will soon begin a buyback program to get these guns out of our communities. Last October, a national freeze on handguns was implemented. The recently introduced Bill C-21 is Canada’s most significant action on gun violence in a generation. In addition to the handgun freeze, it proposes significant provisions to combat organized crime and address the alarming role of guns in domestic violence.
“My number one priority as Minister of Public Safety is keeping Canadians safe. Investments in grassroots efforts in Durham Region are essential to addressing the social conditions that lead youth and young adults to get involved in a life of crime. Put simply, we must stop gun and gang violence before it starts,” said Mendicino.
“The safety and well-being of our residents is our top priority and we remain committed to doing all that we can to make our region a safe place for everyone. Through the Building Safer Communities Fund, we are able to maximize the impact of the community safety and well-being efforts in Durham Region and work closely with community partners and residents to ensure Durham remains a place where everyone feels safe and has a sense of belonging,” added John Henry, Durham Regional Chair and Chief Executive Officer.
Quick Facts
- Public Safety Canada is finalizing agreements with municipalities and communities that have been identified through evidence-based criteria and meet the program requirements.
- The amount of BSCF support for a community is based on two major elements: crime severity (homicide by firearm, incidents of firearms offences, organized crime/street gang-involved crime) and population density.
- The BSCF builds on the success of the Initiative To Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence. This includes the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund – a five year $358.8 million investment announced in 2018 – that brings together federal, provincial and territorial supports to tackle the increase in gun-related violence and gang activity in Canada.