Nearly $2 million will go towards youth programs to help stop gun violence before it happens in Halifax.
Tuesday morning’s announcement from the federal government is part of a national program to build safer communities.
Andrew Matthews, Deputy Chief with the Halifax Regional Police, says our city is growing, and we can’t leave anyone behind.
“That’s why investments like this are so important. They help us ensure people have access to the support and opportunities that they need to make important positive choices and have a brighter future,” Matthews told reporters on Tuesday.
Federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree also spoke at the news conference. He said the goal is to support at-risk youth, and to help them build one-on-one relationships to guide them away from guns and gangs.
As an example, he said it could go toward a tutor to help get a student back on track or back into school. Or it could go toward an evening basketball program.
Those are important, because although the government is working on important changes to the criminal justice system, they “cannot arrest our way out of conflict,” says Anandasangaree.
The $1.98 million in funding comes as part of a federal program. It was initially announced in 2022 with $250 million in funding, and then it was renewed in March with $157.7 million to be spent over the next three years, according to a news release.
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore also spoke Tuesday. He says no government can create safer communities on its own. They need to work with community groups, first responders, families, and residents to find real solutions.
“Most importantly, I want to say thank you to the people all across HRM doing this work every single day, often quietly, often one relationship with one person at a time. And that is how violence is prevented,” says Fillmore.
