The Government of Canada is taking comprehensive action to protect Canadians from gun and gang violence, including banning assault-style firearms and strengthening border protections. Central to these efforts is preventing gun and gang violence before it starts through community-driven initiatives.
The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, announced that the government plans to extend support for gun and gang violence prevention by providing up to $157.5 million over the next three years through the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF). The fund supports municipalities and Indigenous communities in tackling the root causes of violence by funding community-based organizations that work with children, youth, and young adults involved in, or at risk of joining, gangs. Funding in Quebec is allocated to the provincial government.
BSCF-supported initiatives focus on addressing social and economic conditions that contribute to crime, promoting mentorship, skill-building, and conflict management to give vulnerable young people better long-term opportunities. This renewed investment reflects the government’s commitment to evidence-based, effective programs and recognizes the positive impacts BSCF funding has already had across Canada. Public Safety Canada will consult with project partners to determine community needs over the next three years.
The BSCF builds on previous investments, including $250 million announced in March 2022, and prioritizes municipalities and Indigenous communities based on crime severity. Existing BSCF agreements are being extended on a short-term basis for operational continuity, while other eligible recipients may be considered later. Over the past decade, the Canadian government has invested $1.5 billion in law enforcement and gang prevention programs, including the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun Violence and complementary programs like the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund and the Youth Gang Prevention Fund, to stop gun and gang violence before it begins.
