Summary of the Evaluation of the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence
About the program
The Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (the Canada Centre) was established in 2017 to provide national leadership on the federal government's approach to Countering Radicalization to Violence (CRV). The federal approach was formalized in 2018 with the launch of the National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence (the National Strategy). The Canada Centre is responsible for implementing the National Strategy which includes managing the Community Resilience Fund (CRF), a Grants and Contributions program.
What we examined
The purpose of the evaluation was to assess the relevance, effectiveness and efficiency of the Canada Centre. The evaluation covered the period from 2020-2021 to 2025-2026 and was conducted in accordance with the Treasury Board Policy on Results and the Directive on Results.
Evaluation findings
- The Canada Centre continues to advance the priorities identified in the National Strategy, and is a key element in the Government of Canada's continuing efforts to address radicalization.
- The co-location and integration of the Canada Centre's core functions in a centre of excellence model is an effective and unique approach for supporting its mandate and adapting to unexpected events and emerging trends in the CRV space.
- The Canada Centre has enhanced CRV knowledge through both CRF funded external research studies and establishing its own internal research capacity. It has also supported knowledge mobilization by facilitating stakeholder events such as workshops, training, and information sharing sessions.
- The Canada Centre has enhanced policy in the area of CRV through its efforts to advance draft legislation, provide policy support and guidance to decision makers, and through its engagement with domestic and international partners.
- The Canada Centre has increased capacity to deliver prevention and intervention activities through project funding, and support to practitioner networks. It has also taken steps to address gaps in frontline services, particularly in certain regions, although isolated, remote, and Indigenous communities remain underserved.
- The Canada Centre has provided national leadership on CRV. This is attributed to a strong foundational structure provided through the Canada Centre's integrated centre of excellence model as well as the credibility and expertise of its personnel and the strong relationships that have been built and maintained with partners, stakeholders and allies.
- The review and approval processes for the CRF were found to have appropriate oversight and governance. However, coordination challenges persist that impact the efficiency of the administration of grants and contributions agreements.
Recommendations
- Expand outreach activities to build capacity to counter radicalization to violence in rural, remote and underserved regions across Canada.
- Examine opportunities to improve communication and coordination between the Canada Centre and PD in support of the Community Resilience Fund.
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