NDP MLAs say funding will support community safety projects in Chilliwack              

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CHILLIWACK– New Democrat MLAs Dan Coulter and Kelli Paddon say that people in Chilliwack will benefit from projects to address criminal activity in their community, assist individuals experiencing gender-based violence, and support Indigenous peoples recovering from trauma.

“Putting money from crime back into safety programs helps make our communities stronger. This year, organizations that support justice in Chilliwack are receiving over $100,000 to help them keep doing the great work they do,” said Dan Coulter, MLA for Chilliwack

Three projects in Chilliwack are receiving $109,985 to implement crime prevention and remediation projects in their community:

  • The Indigenous Justice Association is receiving $30,000 for their IJP Capacity Building project that will address the need for relationship building with other Indigenous Justice Programs across the Province and build capacity within individual justice programs by providing training that is unique to their specific needs and region.
  • The Ann Davis Transition Society is receiving $39,985 for a Gender Based Violence Supports Program that will focus on the needs of Indigenous women and girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+persons, racialized and immigrant survivors and persons with disabilities survivors who have experienced violence and have lost housing or are experiencing precarious housing.
  • Chilliwack  Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy  Association is receiving $40,000 to allow Chilliwack Restorative Justice to further develop their capacity to provide restorative justice services in Chilliwack.

“The Chilliwack Restorative Justice and Youth Advocacy Association does important harm reduction work in our schools and community, ” said Kelli Paddon, MLA for Chilliwack-Kent. “These funds will help to make sure that the important programs and guidance that Chilliwack Restorative Justice offers can continue here in our community.”

The BC NDP government is providing nearly $9.7 million in one-time grants through the program to support 197 community projects and fund police equipment and training. Civil Forfeiture grants are funds that go back into our communities from seized proceeds of crimes and illegal activity. These projects are being led by local governments, community-based not-for-profits, school districts, health authorities, academic institutions, police departments and Indigenous organizations.

The Civil Forfeiture Grant Program provides funding to support community safety related projects throughout B.C. through six funding streams that align with government commitments in various priority areas related to public safety. These streams include Gender-Based Violence; Crime Prevention; Indigenous Healing; Restorative Justice; Domestic Violence and Intervention Programming; and Child and Youth Advocacy Centres.

Learn More: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PSSG0038-000778

To see the full list of 2022-23 grant recipients, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/crime-prevention/civil-forfeiture-office/grants-compensation

For more information on Victim Services, please visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/criminal-justice/bcs-criminal-justice-system/understanding-criminal-justice/key-parts/victim-services

Learn more about Unexplained Wealth Orders and other amendments to the Civil Forfeiture: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2023PSSG0022-000415