Governments of Canada and Prince Edward Island partner to put more police on our streets
OTTAWA, March 28, 2008 – The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of the Atlantic Opportunities Agency, on behalf of the Honourable Stockwell Day, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Gerard Greenan, Attorney General of Prince Edward Island, today announced that the Government of Canada will provide Prince Edward Island with $1.6 million as part of a new Police Officers Recruitment Fund. This Fund supports the Government of Canada's national effort to recruit 2,500 police officers and provides flexibility to the provinces and territories in hiring additional personnel across the country.
“The Government's most important duty is the protection of Canadians against threats to their safety and security, and our Government has been taking action where needed to get the job done,” said Minister MacKay. “By making funding available to support the recruitment of new front-line police officers, we are delivering on a key platform commitment to enhance community safety. I am pleased we are partnering with Prince Edward Island to strengthen law enforcement in the region.”
Attorney General Greenan said, "I have indicated that PEI wishes to participate in the Police Officers Recruitment Fund. We are now working with municipal and police officials to determine the best way to allocate this funding of $320,000 per year for the next five years."
Budget 2008 has created a third-party trust fund of up to $400 million to be allocated proportionally. Prince Edward Island has the flexibility to use its allocated portion of the funding to hire additional officers over these five years.
Each province and territory – in recognition of their jurisdiction over policing – is responsible for distributing funds to municipal and provincial/territorial police services. The provincial and territorial governments are encouraged to report directly to their residents on the expenditures and outcomes on the implementation of this initiative in hiring additional officers.
Tackling crime and strengthening the security of Canadians are paramount responsibilities for the Government of Canada. The introduction of the Police Officers Recruitment Fund further demonstrates that the Government takes these responsibilities seriously by providing assistance to the provinces and territories for the recruitment of 2,500 additional front-line police officers.
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Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657
Mélisa Leclerc
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2863