NDP MLA's Say Funding Will Support Crime Prevention Projects In The Mid-Island Region

MLA's Ronna-Rae Leonard and Josie Osborne say people in the mid-Island region will benefit from projects that will advance public safety, help prevent violence, and promote healing.

The government is providing $8.2 million in one-time grants through the Civil Forfeiture Grant Program to support 189 community projects across the province.

They are being led by local governments, community-based not-for-profits, school districts, health authorities, academic institutions, police departments and Indigenous organizations.

“People in our region are served by numerous organizations helping them find empowerment, healing, and justice,” said Ronna-Rae Leonard, MLA for Courtenay-Comox.

“This funding will help more of our local organizations provide more life-changing programs and support.”

In the mid-Island region, seven projects are receiving a total of $269,103 to implement crime prevention and remediation projects in their community.

Local projects include:

-    Ahousaht First Nation, Heshook-ish Tsawalk – Everything is One Program - $40,000
-    Ahousaht First Nation, Youth Empowerment Through Cultural Healing - $40,000
-    Alberni Valley Restorative Justice Society, increasing restorative justice delivery capacity - $40,000
-    Comox Valley Family Services Association, Duenna Project - $34,640
-    Community Justice Centre of the Comox Valley, Peace Circles Program and BC Restorative Justice Conference participation - $38,994
-    Nuu-chah-nulth Youth Warrior Family Society, Cacimhap – To Heal & Keep Well Project - $35,469
-    Wachiay Friendship Centre Society, Youth Empowerment Program - $40,000

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.

Osborne, MLA for Mid Island-Pacific Rim, says the funding will help local organizations provide people with the support and skills they need to find healing and justice in their lives.

For more information, visit BC NDP.