Canada ramps up investment in youth-focused crime prevention initiatives

The funding, to be delivered through the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF), will support municipalities and indigenous communities working to address the root causes of violence, particularly among at-risk youth.

Officials said the programme focuses on prevention by funding local initiatives that provide mentorship, skills training and support services for children and young adults vulnerable to gang involvement.

The planned investment builds on a previous C$250 million commitment announced in 2022 and is part of a broader federal effort to combat gun crime, including border enforcement measures and a ban on assault-style firearms.

“This programme works,” Anandasangaree said, adding that the funding aims to ensure “vulnerable young people see better options than a life of crime.”

The funding will be working to address the root causes of violence, particularly among at-risk youth. Photo: Gary Anandasangaree/X

Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed the move, saying community programmes that engage youth can help build safer neighbourhoods and reduce violence.

According to Public Safety Canada, municipalities and Indigenous communities are prioritised for funding based on crime severity, with Quebec funds routed through the provincial government.

The federal government has invested about C$1.5 billion over the past decade in law enforcement and prevention programmes targeting gun and gang violence, including initiatives focused on youth intervention and community safety.

The announcement comes amid ongoing concerns about urban gun violence and the role of social and economic factors in driving crime, with officials increasingly emphasising prevention alongside enforcement.