Quebec launches $140M program to boost crime prevention

Quebec Minister Responsible for Indigenous affairs Ian Lafreniere. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

The Quebec government is investing $139.4 million over five years in a new program aimed at helping community groups prevent crime and intervene more quickly with vulnerable people.

Public Security Minister Ian Lafrenière announced the Quebec Crime Control Program (PQLC) on Wednesday, calling it a key part of the province’s effort to strengthen community safety.

The program has three components:

• support for organizations that work to prevent crime and sexual exploitation of minors
• funding for new intervention methods
• rapid deployment of concrete actions targeting urgent crime-related issues

Applications for organizations for the first two components are open until Nov. 18. The third will follow shortly, according to a news release issued by the minister’s office on Wednesday.

“The safety of our communities is a priority,” Lafrenière said. “Prevention is just as important as enforcement. Whether it’s organized crime, the sexual exploitation of minors or violence against women, what really matters is helping those who work with vulnerable people.”

He encouraged organizations to apply, saying the new program “is an important step in reducing bureaucracy and making the government more efficient.”

The PQLC aims to improve coordination among police, schools, municipalities and community organizations to build a more unified crime-prevention network, he said.