Gang Violence Prevention and Intervention Investments

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

Proposed Response:

• The federal government is deeply troubled by the recent gun and gang violence in Canadian communities. The Government is taking the necessary steps to strengthen community safety, as well as providing support to prevent and address crime in communities and populations most at-risk.
  
• Reducing gang activity and violence on our streets and in our communities must focus on addressing the social conditions that can lead to criminality. We will continue to create conditions for safer communities by building on past and present investments.
• To date, we have supported Provinces and Territories with more than $115 million dollars to in prevention, intervention, suppression and enforcement activities under the Guns and Gang Violence Action Fund since 2018.
• The Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence is a program of investments totaling $358.8 million to support communities, bolster law enforcement capacity, and enhance federal leadership. 
• We will also be providing $250 million over five years directly to municipalities and Indigenous communities. Communities demonstrating a history of gun and gang-related harm will receive funding to bolster gang prevention and intervention programming.
• This fund is designed to address the unique needs of the community. The prevention program will aim to positively engage young people with their families, their schools, and their communities to prevent gang involvement.

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

• The Government 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.

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 homicides^Footnote1. 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 2016-2020^Footnote2.

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:

• Develop and deliver gun and gang violence prevention and intervention initiatives;
• Enhance law enforcement and prosecution capacity to address gun and gang violence;
• Support data gathering/reporting, and research, knowledge development and information around gun and gang violence;
• Provide training for enforcement, prevention or other professionals; and,
• Support the development/refinement of strategies on gun and gang violence and the measurement of results of initiatives. 

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.

Date modified:

2022-08-10