Government of Canada takes action to prevent youth crime in Winnipeg
Winnipeg, April 24, 2009 - Today the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, announced federal support for projects aimed at preventing youth gang activity in Winnipeg.
"Our government is committed to keeping our communities safe and protecting Canadians from gang-related crime," said Minister Van Loan. "Funding announced today supports five local crime prevention projects designed to help at-risk youth in Winnipeg. These projects will help our youth to learn practical life skills that will help them avoid getting involved with gangs and criminal activity."
Through Public Safety Canada's National Crime Prevention Centre and the Department of Justice's Youth Justice Fund, we are providing over $3.1 million to support five local crime prevention projects that will help at-risk youth in Winnipeg to make better choices.
The Honourable Dave Chomiak, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Manitoba, took part in the announcement.
"We are very pleased with the initiative announced by the federal government today. These programs will help keep youth and young adults out of gangs and give those already in gangs a helping hand to get out," said Minister Chomiak. "This is about saving lives and assisting young people to build productive, meaningful futures."
The National Crime Prevention Strategy provides funding support to strategically selected projects that help prevent crime and increase knowledge about what works in crime prevention. Through the Youth Justice Fund, Aboriginal organizations and communities can receive project funding to build capacity within their community and to develop, pilot and implement community-based youth justice programs or services.
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613-991-0657