News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government announced today the details of New Brunswick’s Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund. This project is made possible through funding from the federal government, which has allocated more than $2.7 million over five years through its Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence.

“We are taking action to protect families and communities,” said Public Safety Minister Carl Urquhart. “We are doing that by complementing the Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Strategy. Using the evidence that we collect, a strategic plan will be implemented that will aim to address the underlying reasons for gang violence.”

The objective of the fund is to support law enforcement, crime prevention and intervention initiatives within the province. This funding will be used to support police services and other organizations in their efforts to prevent gun and gang violence, while increasing awareness and understanding of related issues.

“There are many factors associated with gun and gang violence. Having spent a career in law enforcement, I know we cannot arrest our way out of the problem,” said federal Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction Minister Bill Blair. “Understanding the causes specific to the community is key to reaching young people who may be vulnerable to joining gangs, and to giving youth a safe and secure way to leave gangs and build a strong future.”

The provincial government’s five-year plan on gun and gang violence complements its Crime Prevention and Reduction Strategy and Outlaw Motorcycle Gang Strategy. It will focus on better understanding the nature of gun and gang violence in New Brunswick, and, through collaboration with partners and stakeholders, an evidence-based strategic plan will be developed. The plan will aim to address existing, emerging and underlying gun and gang violence and related issues through knowledge development, prevention, intervention and suppression activities.