Summary of the Evaluation of the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF)
About the program
The BSCF was created and launched in March 2022, with the objective of providing funding to municipalities and Indigenous communities for community-led prevention and intervention projects to address gun and gang prevalence in their communities.
What we examined
The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the BSCF. The evaluation covered the period from fiscal year 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 and was conducted in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Results and the Directive on Results.
Evaluation findings
- There is a continued need for funding to address gun and gang violence in communities throughout Canada as data demonstrates that firearm-related violent crime has been increasing and funding for prevention-related activities in municipalities and Indigenous communities is limited.
- While the BSCF is distinct in its direct, targeted funding to municipal governments and Indigenous communities, there are similarities among the crime prevention programs within PS.
- Recipients utilized BSCF funding to implement a range of initiatives.
- The BSCF contributed to strengthened community partnerships, with recipients establishing communities of practice that supported knowledge sharing and informed program delivery.
- The BSCF largely reached priority populations – primarily youth and other groups at risk of gang involvement.
- Although the targeted funding model was designed to improve the efficiency of recipient selection, its effectiveness was constrained by limited qualitative input.
- Only 10% of communities had confirmed funding external to PS beyond the initial end date of the BSCF.
- Delays in funding announcements, compressed timelines, limited funding flexibility and burdensome reporting requirements constrained timely implementation and created administrative challenges for recipients.
Considerations
- There is an opportunity for PS to enhance collaboration and integration across internal crime prevention programs.
- PS could consider enhancing the selection process for future targeted programming by incorporating qualitative measures and consultations.
- There is an opportunity for PS to play a leadership role in the coordination and facilitation of communities of practice across recipients.
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