Funding Announcement for Crime Prevention Projects in Quebec City
Remarks by
The Honourable Stockwell Day
Minister of Public Safety
January 17, 2007
Quebec City, Quebec
As delivered
Thank you, Chief Gros-Louis [Max Gros-Louis, Grand Chief, Wendake], for your gift – it is an honour. Thank you also for inviting me here today to your nation, Wendake. Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.
I am honoured to be here with you today along with my colleague, Member of Parliament Daniel Petit, public servants and all those involved in today's announcement.
I am pleased to see so many people taking an interest in the safety of your community. That is a goal you and Canada's New Government share.
I would also like to apologize on behalf of Minister Josée Verner. Unfortunately, she could not join us for this announcement today. She expressed her support for these crime prevention projects to me and has asked me to pass on her wishes for every success.
Canada's New Government has made the fight against crime one of its key priorities. The safety of Canadians is not only our common responsibility, but also our common value. We all deserve to feel safe.
Some issues, such as the involvement of young people in gangs, have an impact on our sense of security.
Canada's New Government has taken many steps over the last few months to protect Canadians. In so doing, we have recognized that crime must be tackled on two fronts.
On the one hand, it takes more resources for police to strengthen law enforcement and enforce the law. This is why Budget 2006 provided $161 million to begin hiring 1,000 new RCMP personnel.
Last week, I was pleased to announce that we will be investing $16 million to help at-risk youth make the right choices, stay away from gangs or, if they are already members, leave gangs and never go back.
Our government supports communities in finding local solutions to local problems. The projects I am announcing today are going to help us prevent crime on Aboriginal reserves in Quebec, including in Wendake.
One of the projects, Nutapinanu, will be receiving close to $100,000 in funding. As the high-school dropout rate is four times higher in Aboriginal communities than anywhere else in Quebec, this project aims to make Aboriginal youth aware of the importance of succeeding in school. The problem of dropping out of school has led to greater criminal activity in these communities.
As part of the Nutapinanu project, 13 half-hour episodes of a television program will be produced for Aboriginal youth 12 to 17 years of age. This TV series will be hosted by young Aboriginals and will be filmed in six Aboriginal communities. Each episode will focus on a different theme. Aboriginal youth will be able to talk about the selected themes, and mentors will encourage them to succeed. By giving examples of positive role models, the project will help young people understand that it is important to stay in school, succeed and take pride in their accomplishments.
The second project receiving funding today is Parentochtone. The project will be receiving more than $256,000 to help parents in the Wendake community develop parenting skills that will help them prevent crime and victimization.
Studies have shown that there is an important correlation between neglect, abuse and lack of parenting skills, and adolescent drug use. Moreover, drug use is often the first step towards delinquency and crime. Parents, children and the community will benefit from this project.
I know that the Parentochtone project is very important to Grand Chief Gros-Louis. He has written to me about it to explain what this project means for the community. This is why I wanted to be here with him to announce funding for this project.
Canada's New Government wants to support at-risk youth in Quebec. We want to take steps to prevent them from committing crimes and joining street gangs.
By working with community-based organizations to fight crime in our communities, we will be helping make our streets safer.
I congratulate you on your outstanding work and wish you every success.