The City of Regina received $2.96 million from the Government of Canada to help address gun and gang violence.

Pam Damoff, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Public Safety, was in Regina for the announcement, which will be funded through the $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund to help address the underlying conditions that give rise to crime.

“This funding from the Building Safer Communities Fund will help support at-risk youth to make healthier choices and better set themselves up for success in life. I look forward to seeing the difference it will make for young people across Regina.”

The City of Regina will distribute it to community-led projects for young people involved in gangs or at risk of joining them – helping them set themselves up for success.

Mayor Sandra Masters said they are grateful for being selected by the Government of Canada.

“We are still feeling the effects of COVID-19 in terms of the disconnect to social supports and community programming that youth are experiencing,” she said. “Ensuring at-risk youth have access to resources and can participate in community may help prevent them from getting involved in gang activity and create more opportunity for them to thrive.”

“We know that gang-related activity is active in our city,” Masters continued. “In 2021, Regina had the highest rate of firearm-related violent crime out of all census metropolitan areas in Canada. It affirms the need to focus on proactive measures that will keep youth from seeking community through gangs.”

Masters added that the city would consult people and organizations who work with youth daily to direct the funding better.