Government of Canada funds crime prevention effort in Waterloo region - Program to help prevent youth gangs

September 10, 2009

CAMBRIDGE, ON – Today, the Honourable Gary Goodyear, Minister of State (Science and Technology) and Member of Parliament for Cambridge, on behalf of the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, announced federal support of close to $3.4 million for a local project aimed at preventing and reducing youth gang-related crime in Waterloo, Ontario.

“This government is taking concrete action to make our communities safer,” said Minister Goodyear. “The funding announced today will not only help our at-risk youth to avoid being drawn into gang activity. It will also help those who have made the decision to leave that life behind become successful, contributing members of society.”

Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, the Government of Canada is providing close to $3.4 million to the Regional Municipality of Waterloo to implement their Comprehensive and Integrated Youth Gang Prevention Strategy. This project will work with youth between the ages of 12 and 18, who are at-risk of joining gangs or already involved in gang activity, and will also engage their families, peers, schools and neighbourhoods. Participating youth will be provided with life skills and employment training, as well as access to social and educational programming, including substance abuse counseling. In addition, this project will work closely with the Guns and Gangs Unit of the Waterloo Regional Police Service as well as community organizations in areas where youth gang activity is prevalent to create meaningful and targeted interventions.

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.

Information:
Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657