Message From Tony
National Crime Prevention Strategy
Last week, Minister LeBlanc announced the launch of the application process for funding under the National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS). Eligible organizations will be able to apply for funding from November 1st to December 20th, 2024.
An estimated $123.5 million will be available over the next five years. In addition, an annual $700,000 portion of NCPS funding will be available for projects that focus specifically on preventing bullying and cyber bullying.
This investment will support community-led crime prevention efforts tailored to at-risk and vulnerable youth, particularly Indigenous and racialized youth, youth involved in violence, and youth with repeat contacts with the criminal justice system.
Through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, we’re strengthening federal leadership by investing to prevent crimes before they happen. This announcement of a new injection of funds ($123.5 million over the next five years) means we can support more projects that target gun violence, auto theft, gang involvement, violent crimes and repeat offending across Canada. These funds will support community-led efforts tailored towards at-risk youth; Particularly Indigenous and racialized youth, youth involved in violence, and youth with repeat contacts with the criminal justice system. This builds on our efforts to counter crime, and since 2018 we’ve invested about $1.3 billion in policing, border enforcement and gang prevention strategies. We will continue to do everything we need to do to keep Canadians safe.
Poppy Campaign
On Friday, we recognized the launch of the 2024 National Poppy Campaign with a flag raising in Aurora. Thank you to the Aurora Royal Canadian Legion for the vital role you play in the National Poppy Campaign and for your continued service to veterans. Legions across Canada provide essential support for this most important campaign.
The wearing of the poppy in recognition of the veterans who fought for our freedom is an important reminder of sacrifices made. It is also an important fundraiser providing support for Veterans and their families.
How does one pay their respects or say ‘thank you’ to those who paid the ultimate price defending our values and freedom, and protecting those in need?
We remember their sacrifice, defend the values for which they fought, and tell their stories so generations will remember those brave men and women. The Legion is vital in the telling of those stories – you can once again connect online to hear about a fallen soldier’s story through the Poppy Stories initiative.
As I reflect on Remembrance Day 2024, I will do so with gratitude, respect, and love for a nation, and for the brave men and women of Canada’s armed forces.
And I will wear a poppy to honour all who fought so bravely for our freedom.
Lest we forget.
Celebrating Diwali in Newmarket
Over the weekend, I was pleased to join The Samosa Master and the South Asian Community in Newmarket to celebrate Diwali with great music, amazing food, and a traditional diya lighting and sparkler ceremony. Thank you to the Samosa Master for putting on another amazing Diwali celebration.
This Thursday, millions of Canadians and people around the world will gather to celebrate Diwali. Families and friends come together to pray, exchange gifts, share meals, and decorate their homes and temples with colour.
As we mark Diwali, we also recognize the many contributions of Canadians from Hindu, Jain, Sikh, and Buddhist communities to our country’s cultural fabric, and we celebrate their role in making Canada the diverse and inclusive place we call home.
I wish everyone celebrating a very happy Diwali. May Diwali bring you joy, peace, and good fortune.
Interest rates lowered for a fourth time
The Bank of Canada’s decision to lower interest rates for a fourth time is welcome news for Canadians. It’s great news for homeowners and for businesses. Our responsible plan has created the economic conditions for interest rates to come down. We’re on the right path; our plan is working.
Canada is leading the G7 in reaching a soft landing from the pandemic recession. Canada was the first G7 country to cut interest rates and is now the first G7 country to do so for a fourth time. And in September, inflation in Canada fell to 1.6 per cent — the lowest in 3.5 years. This means that inflation has been within the Bank of Canada’s target range for all of 2024.
Canada’s economic growth is expected to be second best in the G7 this year and the best in the G7 next year. For Canadians, this strong growth means more jobs, higher wages, and a rising standard of living. Our government is building on Canada’s strong economic and fiscal position to make the investments Canadians need – in housing, in affordability, in economic growth – so that every generation has a fair chance at success.
Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund
Black communities in Canada continue to face significant barriers to accessing mental health services and supports, including the cost of care, a history of negative experiences related to bias, and overall lack of culturally representative and responsive mental health professionals.
Our government has launched an open call for proposals to allocate $1 million under the Mental Health of Black Canadians Fund. Community-based organizations can apply for up to $100,000 to support projects that seek to build organizations’ capacity to develop and deliver programs that promote the mental health of Black people in Canada. The deadline to submit a proposal is November 15, 2024.
To be eligible to receive funding, projects must be Black-led, benefit and be delivered to Black communities in Canada.
This open call for proposals is part of the $4M committed in Budget 2024 for the Promoting Health Equity: Mental Health of Black of Canadians Fund. This funding is designed to support community-based, culturally focused projects that aim to increase health equity and address the underlying determinants of mental health, including anti-Black racism.
Investing in housing infrastructure across Canada
One of the biggest pressures on young people right now is housing. Faced with a shortage of housing options and increasingly high rent and home prices, it feels like the deck is stacked against them. But it doesn’t have to be – with a Team Canada effort, we can change that.
In Budget 2024, we made a commitment to launch a $6 billion Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) to help provinces, territories, and municipalities build water, wastewater, and stormwater infrastructure to build more homes, faster. $1 billion of this fund is being allocated to the direct delivery stream of the CHIF, which will be given to municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada to upgrade critical housing infrastructure.
Starting this Thursday, October 31st, municipalities can begin applying for the direct delivery stream of the CHIF. For more information, municipalities can register for a CHIF webinar or read the applicant guide.
