The City of Regina is set to receive almost three million dollars from the Federal Government to make the Queen City safer.

The city will receive $2.9 million through the new federal Building Safer Communities Funding (BSCF) program, which will help communities develop community-based prevention and intervention strategies to tackle gun and gang activity across Canada.

Mayor Sandra Masters said while the money is for anti-gang and anti-gun initiatives, the city is planning to invest it in youth.

“Our city would be focusing on youth and gang activity,” she said. “When can we expect can see the result of that and my answer is probably ten years from now.”

Masters said the funding would help them build upon existing programs, like those in the community safety and well-being plan.

“A lot of the initiatives are intervening in youth. Making sure youth are involved in the community, have access to resources, have access to employment opportunities and skills training,” she said. “In terms of giving kids a place to participate and be involved that’s not gang related is one of the key initiatives. Statistically, it helps divert kids from wanting to belong somewhere; sometimes the only place for that is gangs.”

A recent report from Statistics Canada reported that Regina led the nation in the rate of gang-related homicides, as eight of the 15 homicides were connected to gangs.

Before any of the funding can be used, the Federal Government must approve city administration’s proposal, which is set to be released in April of 2023.