News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

May 20, 2021

Province Providing More Than $2.3 Million for Crime Prevention and Safety Initiatives Through the Criminal Property Forfeiture Program

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Services and Programs across the Province to Receive Funding for Initiatives that Prevent or Reduce Crime, Promote Safer Communities: Friesen

The Manitoba government is investing more than $2.3 million from the proceeds of crime in safety and crime prevention programs for communities throughout Manitoba, Justice Minister Cameron Friesen announced today.

“The criminal property forfeiture program seizes and liquidates criminal assets and redirects funding to projects and initiatives designed to protect Manitobans and enhance public safety,” said Friesen. “Our government is pleased to provide this funding to organizations across Manitoba whose important initiatives continue to build community, invest in youth and support victims of crime.”

The criminal property forfeiture (CPF) program distributions this year include:
• $100,000 for Candace House for its Healing Haven and Safe and Informed Spaces programs, which support victims and survivors of crime;
• $10,000 for Rossbrook House Inc. to support its programs that aim to prevent involvement in the criminal justice system and provide opportunities to overcome systemic levels of poverty, racism and inequity;
• $20,000 for the Canadian Centre for Child Protection for its initiatives in the upcoming year to safeguard children from sexual victimization and reduce crime by providing training and resources to school staff, children, their families and the surrounding communities in Manitoba;
• $25,000 for Altona Youth for Christ for an expansion to create a ‘maker space’ area for at-risk youth in the community, which will support tools and equipment for training youth in specific skills to broaden their employment opportunities; and
• $33,000 to KIDTHINK Children’s Mental Health Centre Inc. for the SNAP program, which offers children and their caregivers proven and effective interventions to stop the cycle of violence.

The minister noted following the recent passing of His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh, the province will also provide $17,000 through the CPF program to create opportunities for at-risk youth through the Duke of Edinburgh Awards, a personal development framework for youth that focuses on physical recreation, skills, voluntary service and an adventurous journey.

“Our government is pleased to provide this support, which will ensure His Royal Highness, the Duke of Edinburgh’s legacy lives on through this work,” said Friesen. “The award program provides a valuable framework to youth who are incarcerated and released, and will assist in their personal development so they can go on to become contributing members of society.”

The minister noted Victim Services will be receiving $500,000 for various victim support and community programs through the CPF program, which has provided a total of $3.5 million to the program since its inception.

The CPF program also supports law enforcement to assist at-risk or disadvantaged youth in northern communities by providing sports and gym equipment, outdoor clothing for outdoor activities, camping equipment for youth summer and healing camps, arts and craft materials, and musical instruments for extra-curricular activities and teaching life skills.

Funding is also used to organize events with the community and police, which focus on reconciliation, provide healing and cultural camps to build stronger communities and familial bonds through traditional teachings, and deliver domestic violence prevention workshops directed at high-risk youth geared to educate them on unhealthy relationships and domestic and sexual violence.

This year, the province is providing $10,000 to the RCMP for canoes and life jackets for the Lynn Lake Kiddies Camp for youth ages eight to 18. The non-profit organization operates a camp built at Burge Lake for community groups in Lynn Lake and Marcel Colomb First Nation.

Since its inception in 2009, the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has distributed more than $19 million back to the communities throughout the province. For more information about criminal property forfeiture, visit www.gov.mb.ca/justice/commsafe/cpf/index.html.

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