Government of Canada Funds Calgary Law Enforcement Working With the Community to Prevent Radicalization to Violence in Youth

OTTAWA, Ontario, Dec. 18 -- Public Safety Canada issued the following news release:

Today the Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sports and Persons with Disabilities, on behalf of the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced a total of nearly $1.3 million over five years from the Community Resilience Fund to Calgary Police Service working with partners to deliver intervention programing in Calgary.

Through the Community Resilience Fund, the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence continues to deliver on Public Safety Canada's commitment to prevent radicalization to violence in Canada.

The Calgary Police Service's ReDirect program takes a collaborative approach to prevention and intervention for youth, with multiple sectors working together to provide awareness and education on radicalization to violence and the factors that contribute to it.

Quotes

* "We use a broad range of legal tools and powers to counter terrorism in Canada including, where possible, the prevention of radicalization to violence. Through innovative and collaborative programs like this one, we can redirect individuals away from dangerous ideologies to help prevent tragedies before they occur. Expert community partners like the Calgary Police Service are vital in this effort."

* The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness

* "The Government of Canada is proud to support ReDirect, a made-in-Calgary approach that combines the latest research and a multi-agency, collaborative approach to provide youth at-risk of radicalization with the support they need. This investment will help make us safer and help these young people achieve success in our community."

* The Honourable Kent Hehr, Minister of Sports and Persons with Disabilities

* "Radicalization is not something that police can address on our own. It is a community issue that can only be solved when all levels of government, community organizations and citizens come together to help young people vulnerable to radicalization. We are very proud of the partnerships that have made ReDirect possible and today's funding is going to allow us to expand and improve the program even further."

* Chief Constable Roger Chaffin, Calgary Police Service

Quick Facts

* ReDirect helps youth vulnerable to radicalization develop their resilience against becoming involved in violent extremism. It is a partnership between the City of Calgary Community & Neighbourhood Services, Calgary Police Service and other professional partners.

* Funding for ReDirect will significantly expand capabilities to help with direct one-on-one interventions, community awareness and education, as well as develop partnerships with sectors who can assist in preventing radicalization to violence.

* The CRF will have $4.4 million available to fund existing and new projects in 2018-19. For 2019-20 and beyond, the CRF will have $7 million available each year for existing and new projects.