ARCHIVED - Public Safety Minister Toews announces support for crime prevention in Newfoundland and Labrador

Project to offer at-risk individuals skills to make better choices

ST. JOHN'S, February 22, 2011 - Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, announced over $1.9 million in support for two crime prevention projects that will help at-risk individuals in Newfoundland and Labrador steer away from crime.

"Today's announcement demonstrates our Government's commitment to preventing and reducing crime in our communities," said Minister Toews. "We continue to support projects in Newfoundland and Labrador that provide at-risk individuals with alternatives to a life of crime, substance abuse, and violence."

Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy's (NCPS) Crime Prevention Action Fund, the Government is providing $691,000 in funding to the YMCA of Northeast Avalon to implement the Alternative Suspension – Développement national project.

The project is intended to successfully re-integrate suspended and/or temporarily expelled students back into the classroom and address other behavioral difficulties, such as drug abuse, and negative influences, such as poor parental supervision, that place these youth at risk.

Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy's (NCPS) Northern and Aboriginal Crime Prevention Fund, the Government is also providing $1,241,396 in funding to the Nunatsiavut Government, Department of Health and Social Development, to implement the Mapping the Way in Labrador Aboriginal Communities project in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

"Through this funding, the Department of Health and Social Development will be able to provide much-needed programming and services to those who are most at risk of leading a life of alcohol and drug abuse, violence and crime," said Nunatsiavut's Acting Minister of Health and Social Development, Danny Pottle. "I want to acknowledge all of the partners who helped to make this initiative a reality and to thank them for their support in our goal of developing a model of service delivery that includes traditional knowledge and community involvement."

Through this project, a travelling multidisciplinary clinical team will train and work with community wellness teams to deliver interventions in families, schools and workplaces to approximately 150 at-risk individuals and their parents or caregivers in the Aboriginal communities of Nain, Hopedale, Natuashish and Sheshatshiu.

The Government of Canada has increased investments for crime prevention by 46% from $19.89 million in 2008/09 to $29.1 million in 2009/10, and has already committed almost $40 million in the current fiscal year for approved projects across the country.

About the National Crime Prevention Strategy:

The National Crime Prevention Strategy is administered by Public Safety Canada. The strategy provides funding support to selected projects that help prevent crime and increase knowledge about what works in crime prevention. It is a part of the Government of Canada's plan to tackle crime in order to build stronger, safer communities. The NCPS's priorities are:

• addressing early risk factors among vulnerable children, youth and young adults;
• preventing recidivism among high-risk offenders;
• fostering crime prevention in Aboriginal and northern communities; and
• preventing youth gang and drug-related crime.

Information:

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Date modified:

2015-11-20