Today, the Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $107.3 million to fight crime in Quebec. This includes $84.8 million through the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund and up to $22.5 million in federal support until 2027 to bolster Quebec's participation in the National DNA Data Bank - an essential tool to solving crimes.
Combatting gun violence
The $84.8 million, through to 2028, supports efforts by community organizations and law enforcement to combat gun violence and keep our communities safe. This announcement will ensure the renewal and implementation of promising initiatives in crime prevention, crime repression and the development of knowledge and skills on the subject in Quebec. These initiatives target both the use of armed violence to support the activities of organized crime groups, and the more erratic use of violence resulting from conflicts between rival gangs. This investment builds on the success of the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence (ITAAGGV), announced in 2017, which provides federal support to provinces and territories who then distribute the funding to where it has the biggest impact on reducing gun violence.
The ITAAGGV is a central part of the government's plan to fight crime and keep Canadians safe. It includes investing in the men and women who protect our borders, building capacity to further strengthen our cooperation with the United States to fight gun smuggling, developing knowledge informing major changes to strengthen our firearms legislation, as well as support for prevention and enforcement efforts.
Enhancing forensic capacity
The funding of up to $22.5 million through to 2027 for the National DNA Data Bank will help law enforcement across Canada identify suspects, persons of interest and victims through DNA matches. This investment builds on existing federal funding of $3.45 million annually, provided through Public Safety Canada's Biology Casework Analysis Contribution Program and will go toward boosting forensic lab capacity, purchasing new equipment and hiring more staff. These enhancements are expected to result in an increase in the number of DNA profiles uploaded to the national data base each year, strengthening criminal investigations and prosecutions both in the province and across the country.
