ARCHIVED - Public Safety Minister Toews highlights the Harper Government’s comprehensive efforts to combat crime

SAINT JOHN, February 24, 2011 — Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, and Rodney Weston, Member of Parliament for Saint John, highlighted the Harper Government's comprehensive approach to protecting victims and combating crime in our communities.  The Minister's comments followed a tour of the O.N.E. Change Youth Inclusion Program, funded through the federal government's National Crime Prevention Strategy.

“Our government is committed to preventing crime and delivering results that make criminals accountable to victims for their actions,” said Minister Toews. “I am pleased that, in this session of Parliament, we continue to make important progress that makes our families and communities safer – but more needs to be done.”

Progress made by the Government of Canada since Parliament returned on January 31 includes:

• passage of the Serious Time for the Most Serious Crime Act which ensures first degree murderers serve their life sentence instead of  being released early on parole;
• announcement of new RCMP technology that reduces wait times for individuals including teachers and hockey coaches seeking police checks to work with children;
• passage of the Justice of Victims of Terrorism Act through the Senate;
• launch of consultations that would require convicted criminals to pay the full cost of applying for a pardon and ensure the pardons system remains financially sustainable;
• passage of the Abolition of Early Parole Act through the House of Commons that would ensure convicted fraudsters and drug traffickers are no longer released automatically into our communities after only serving one-sixth of their sentence
• yesterday's announcement of almost $2 million in support for crime prevention programs in New Brunswick.

Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, the Government of Canada is providing $914,187 over four years to the O.N.E. Change Inc. for its ONE Change Youth Inclusion Program. This project will target youth aged 11 to 15 identified as being at high risk of offending. The project will address specific risk factors, including substance abuse, poor school attachment and lack of recreational activities. It will help address local community safety and youth crime issues by offering a range of activities to attract vulnerable young people into positive lifestyles.

“This Government is committed to preventing crime and building stronger communities,” said MP Weston. “Through programs like the O.N.E Change Youth Inclusion Program, we are offering life skills that help at-risk youth make smart choices, and avoid involvement in criminal activity in the first place. This announcement clearly demonstrates our government's commitment to preventing crime and making our streets safe.”

Information:

Media Relations
Public Safety Canada
613-991-0657

Date modified:

2015-12-02