Public Safety Strongly in Focus Op-ed

The following is an op-ed piece by Justice Minister Ross Landry

Recent reports that the Justice Department cut its crime prevention budget are not accurate.

In fact, since 2009-10 the overall budget in areas relating to combatting, reducing and preventing crime has increased by over $5.2 million.

Work is ongoing to ensure we have the laws, and the law enforcement in place to keep Nova Scotians safe - in their homes, their neighbourhoods, their communities.

For example, the province continues to fund the Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act, or SCAN. SCAN gives citizens the tools to take back their neighbourhoods and combat illegal activities.

Nova Scotia is on the verge of implementing a civil forfeiture unit that will help deter unlawful activity by allowing the Province to sell seized assets acquired through criminal activities or used to engage in criminal activities.

The province continues to fund the Criminal Intelligence Service Nova Scotia, which provides intelligence relating to organized criminal groups in Nova Scotia.

Nova Scotia is creating a civilian-led unit to investigate serious incidents involving police.

The Department of Justice is working collaboratively with our policing partners to make sure our system can adjust and respond to the rapidly changing world and the public safety challenges it brings.

For example, the province is working with community leaders and groups to combat, reduce and prevent crime by creating opportunities for youth to help them make better life choices and steer away from crime.

Nova Scotia continues to provide operating grants to not-for-profit agencies across the province who administer the Restorative Justice program. This crime reduction program holds youth accountable, while providing an opportunity for healing for the victim and the community.

This budget also saw funding fully protected for crime prevention activities.

Nova Scotia's Lighthouses Program will continue to provide $240,000 in grants to community organizations across the province to help provide recreational, education, cultural and life skills programs for Nova Scotia youth. Some of the projects include the Peers and Parents Peace Program in Sydney; the Youth on the Radar Program in Halifax; the Name the Shame project in Bridgewater; and Maggie's Place Youth Programs for Cumberland County.

We will also continue to support grassroots community crime prevention activities through the one-time crime prevention investment fund. This remains a $40,000 annual investment.

As Justice Minister I want to assure you that we will continue to work to keep our cities, our communities, and our homes safe.