Harper Government announces support for youth crime prevention and addiction services in Sydney, Nova Scotia

Federally-funded crime prevention supports the Resiliency Education Leadership Adventure and Youth Service led by the Cape Breton Regional Police Service

CAPE BRETON REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY, NS, June 29, 2015 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, on behalf of Minister Steven Blaney, announced that approximately $3.9 million over five yearshas been made available for the crime prevention project Resiliency Education Leadership Adventure and Youth Service (RELAYS).

The RELAYS project will address the priority issue of violence correlated with substance abuse among Cape Breton-youth aged 12 to 17. The project focuses on individuals' strengths to enhance life resiliency skills and help them overcome histories of violence and substance abuse.

Quick Facts

• RELAYS will be administered by officials from the Cape Breton Regional Police Service and jointly funded by the province, the Cape Breton Regional Municipality and other partners.  
• The RELAYS project will enhance the capacity of high-risk youth to:
  • navigate the psychological, social, cultural, and physical resources that sustain their well-being;
  • increase crucial social competence with their peers;
  • redirect activities away from criminal behaviour through a strong social network and pro-social peer groups; and
  • access the emotional resources needed to thrive in high-risk environments by being empowered to give back to their families and communities.
• Evidence-based models supported by the Crime Prevention Action Fund help at-risk youth make smart choices through the provision of community-based educational, cultural, sport and vocational opportunities.
• From April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015, our Government invested in 100 community-based crime prevention programs through the National Crime Prevention Strategy.

Quotes

"Youth violence and drug addiction are serious concerns for many Canadian families. Investments in community-based projects like RELAYS help build stronger and safer communities. Through these investments, we can help to steer at-risk youth away from violence, drugs and other destructive behaviours so that they can realize their full potential."

— The Honourable Steven Blaney, Canada's Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

"The safety of Canadians is an important priority for this Conservative Government.  The RELAYS project is a great example of concerned communities working together to make an impact on public safety and on ensuring our collectivities remain the places where we want to raise our families. This project will help at-risk Cape Breton youth to make positive changes and build the life skills they need to grow and make more positive contributions to their community."

— The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Member of Parliament for Central Nova

Associated Links

• Public Safety's National Crime Prevention Centre

Follow Public Safety Canada (@Safety_Canada) on Twitter.

For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada

Related Links

www.publicsafety.gc.ca