Gang Violence Prevention and Intervention Investments

Date: December 10, 2021
Classification: Unclassified
Branch / Agency: CPB, Public Safety

Proposed Response:

If pressed on the timeline for $250M to Support Community-based Prevention and Intervention Programming

Background:

Crime rates in Canada have generally been decreasing over the past several decades. However, since 2013 there has been an increase in gun crime and gang violence in communities across Canada. In 2020 (the most recent year for which data is available) Statistics Canada reported 277 firearm related homicides, accounting for 39% all homicidesFootnote1. Of the 743 homicides in 2020, 20% of homicides were linked to organized crime or street gangs – this is a marked decrease of about 4% when looking at data spanning 2016-2020Footnote2.

2020 Fall Economic Statement Funding - $250M to Communities to Support Community-based Prevention and Intervention Programming

In the 2020 Fall Economic Statement, the Government committed to providing $250 million over five years, beginning in 2021-22, for municipalities and Indigenous communities to support community based prevention and intervention programs to reduce gun and gang violence.

The Department is exploring funding options, based on emerging data, to ensure funds are allocated to communities who are most at risk of gun and gang violence. Public Safety will commence early engagement with the provinces and territories (P/T) and larger municipalities to discuss the implementation approach. P/Ts are generally supportive of additional funding in the prevention/intervention space, however additional conversations are warranted regarding the delivery method to communities.

Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence

Since 2018, $358.8 million over five years has been allocated for the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence (ITAAGGV), with $100 million ongoing (as defined in the fiscal framework – $92.5 million will require subsequent TBS approval). The majority of funds are allocated to P/Ts under the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund (GGVAF) (over $214 million) to combat gun and gang violence in communities across Canada. Partners are currently using funds to:

All P/Ts have signed multi-year funding agreements under the GGVAF.

The Government also provided $125.0 million to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Canada Border Services Agency to enhance firearms investigations and strengthen controls at the border to prevent illegal firearms from entering the country.

Footnotes

  1. 1

    Statistics Canada. Table 35-10-0170-01  Number and percentage of homicide victims, by type of firearm used to commit the homicide

  2. 2

    Statistics Canada. Table 35-10-0075-01  Number, percentage and rate of gang-related homicide victims

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