News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

October 6, 2021

Manitoba Government Announces Support for Crime Prevention and Safety Initiative in Thompson

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Police to Provide Proceeds of Crime to Family Enhancement Programming for the Community: Friesen

The Manitoba government is providing $85,166 from the proceeds of crime to the RCMP detachment in Thompson for community safety initiatives, Justice Minister Cameron Friesen announced today.

“Our government is supporting the Thompson detachment of the RCMP though the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund for various priority investments to keep the Thompson area safe and help fund crime prevention,” said Friesen. “Highlights include culturally focused, land-based teaching camps for youth in the Thompson region and a new playground for youth in the community of Brochet.”

The School District of Mystery Lake and other local partners host a land-based camp experience to expose at-risk families to teachings that help improve the family structure. The RCMP will also be supplying starter camping kits to allow seven families to participate in the camp. The RCMP will receive $45,873 to build a playground for youth in the Community of Brochet and $12,500 to provide R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson new fitness equipment to promote better mental and physical health and wellness for students.

“The Thompson RCMP detachment is pleased to have received funding from the Manitoba Justice Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund to spearhead several health and well-being initiatives within the City of Thompson, as well as several remote communities served by the detachment,” said Jenny Melanson, detachment commander, Thompson RCMP. “The use of monies seized from criminal activity will fund special youth-driven initiatives within our communities. This funding will serve as an investment to support programs, which are often only made possible through the allocation of these extra funds. Some of the funds granted will include financial support for a playground for the children and youth of the remote community of Brochet, gym equipment for R.D. Parker Collegiate in the City of Thompson and camping equipment for multiple families to utilize. The Thompson RCMP detachment would like to thank the Province of Manitoba for supporting these local endeavours.”

“Supporting youth in Manitoba’s northern communities is an important step in our journey of reconciliation,” said Indigenous Reconciliation and Northern Relations Minister Alan Lagimodiere. “We thank the RCMP for using these funds to engage youth through culturally proficient, land-based teachings to support community safety in Thompson.”

Since its inception in 2009, the Criminal Property Forfeiture Fund has distributed more than

$19.9 million back to communities throughout the province. 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. The funds are provided to organizations across Manitoba whose important initiatives continue to build community, invest in youth and support victims of crime.

For more information about criminal property forfeiture, visit www.gov.mb.ca/justice/commsafe/cpf/index.html.

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