Skip to main content

B.C. commits nearly $500K to help discourage youth from gangs

Nanaimo councillor calls for free youth transit
Share

The B.C. government has promised more than $486,000 to help fund programs that discourage youth from participating in gang activity.

The province says the funding will go to 24 school district across B.C. and support programs and mentorships that discourage students from joining organized crime.

The programs will be run by teachers, non-profit organizations, Indigenous Elders, counsellors, and other community operators.

In Nanaimo, for example, funding will be used for one-on-one mentorships and cultural supports for youth who are most at risk of being recruited to organized crime.

Meanwhile, in the Delta School District, funding will support intervention and counselling for vulnerable students and families.

"We need to work together to make sure young people are knowledgeable and resilient," said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, in a release Tuesday.

"By supporting our schools and investing in early intervention and prevention programs, we’re addressing the root of the issue and diverting vulnerable youth from joining gangs in the first place," he said. 

The funding comes from the province's "Erase" school-based gang and prevention program.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight

After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.

Stay Connected