NDP MLAs Krieger and Gibson say funding will support crime prevention projects in Victoria

Posted in: , ,

VICTORIA –New Democrat MLAs Nina Krieger and Diana Gibson say that people in Victoria will benefit from projects that will advance public safety, help prevent violence, and promote healing.

“The projects we are announcing today help people find support, connection, and empowerment” said Diana Gibson, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head. “Turning the funds we’re recovering from criminal activities into programs that help people live better, fuller lives.”

In Greater Victoria, 11 projects are receiving over $537,000 to implement crime prevention and remediation projects in their community. Local projects include:

  • Child Abuse Prevention and Counselling Society of Greater Victoria (CYAC) – $140,000 for child and youth centres in Victoria and the West Shore
  • John Howard Society of Victoria – $40,000 for the KidStart Mentoring Program for session for vulnerable youth to build confidence and gain skills
  • Warm Hearts Pet Safe Havens Association – $37,496 for a pilot of a functional assessment tracker to provide information about how dogs can support women living in transition houses
  • Victoria Sexual Assault Centre – $40,000 for Indigenous led initiatives for survivors of gender based violence

“People sometimes need support to break cycles of violence, harm, and trauma,” says Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake. “This funding will help our local organizations that are doing the work to break these cycles and create a better future for our community members.”

The New Democrat government is providing $9.1M in one-time grants through the Civil Forfeiture Grant Program to support 166 community projects across the province. These projects are being led by local governments, community-based not-for-profits, school districts, health authorities, academic institutions, police departments and Indigenous organizations.

$900,000 of the $9.1M will support specialized police equipment and training, $500,000 will support the Anti-Hate Community Support Fund, and $200,000 will support the response to the April 26 tragedy after the Lapu Lapu festival.

The Civil Forfeiture Office was established in 2006 with the purpose of removing the tools and proceeds of unlawful activity and redirecting them back into programs that support community safety and crime prevention initiatives.

Learn More:

Provincial News Release and Recipient List: https://news.gov.bc.ca/32437