Ottawa announces funding for new initiative to support young Muslims in the Maritimes

Minister of Public Safety Gary Anandasangaree speaks in the Foyer of the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Tuesday, June 3, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

The federal government has announced funding for a new youth-focused initiative that supports young Muslims in parts of the Maritimes.

Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree and Halifax MP Shannon Miedema made the $1,273,617 funding announcement on Friday.

The federal funding will support the Ummah Society’s new youth initiative, supported through Public Safety Canada’s Youth Gang Prevention Fund. The project, Gang Busters: Reducing Youth Violence and Gang Involvement, focuses on Muslims aged 15 to 30 in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The government says it will address risk factors such as social isolation, discrimination, and economic instability.

“Building safe and resilient communities starts with ensuring young people have access to the supports and opportunities they need to thrive. This initiative will empower at‑risk youth to develop stronger skills, greater confidence, and positive connections that guide them away from gang activity and toward brighter, more secure futures,” said Anandasangaree.

About 700 young people are expected to benefit from the programming and supports.

“The Gang Busters: Reducing Youth Violence and Gang Involvement project is a critical step toward creating safer, more inclusive communities in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick,” adds Abdullah Yousri, CEO of the Ummah Society, which is the largest Muslim-led charity in Atlantic Canada.

“The funding allows Ummah Society to deliver prevention-based programming, mentorship, and positive alternatives that address the root causes of youth violence and gang involvement.”

“The Gang Busters initiative will help Muslim youth in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick gain the skills, confidence, and connections that lead to stronger futures and reduce the risks of gang involvement,” said Miedema.

The government says the initiative’s goal is to strengthen community safety, resilience and empowerment among marginalized Muslim youth, while using an inclusive approach that considers their needs and experiences.

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