BC NDP MLAs Anderson and Morissette say funding will support community safety and crime prevention in the Kootenays
NELSON – BC New Democrat MLAs Brittny Anderson and Steve Morissette say that people in the Kootenays will benefit from provincial funding for community safety projects led by local organizations.
“The projects that are being supported through these grants here in the Kootenays and across the province are life-changing,” said Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee. “I’m incredibly grateful to those that dedicate their time to helping their community members in their time of need.”
In the region, five projects are receiving a total of $286,726. Examples include:
- Kaslo Community Services – $40,000 for sexual assault services counselling
- Kootenay Boundary Community Services Co-operative – $140,000 for the Safe Kids & Youth Coordinated Response program
- W.E. Graham Community Service Society – $40,000 for strengthening restorative justice in our communities
“People in the Kootenays have access to support at the most vulnerable time in their lives thanks to dedicated, caring, and hard working volunteers and staff at our local organizations,” said Brittny Anderson, MLA for Kootenay-Central. “I’m glad our government can take proceeds from crime and provide funding for these vital community supports.”
The BC New Democrat government is providing $8.23 million through the Civil Forfeiture Grant Program, supporting 173 community-led projects across the province. The funding comes from the seized proceeds of unlawful activity, which are redirected back into making our communities safer.
Projects receiving this funding focus on areas including crime prevention, Indigenous healing, restorative justice, addressing gender-based and domestic violence, child and youth supports, and addressing hate crimes.
This year, the new anti-hate funding stream supports organizations and meeting places for groups that may be at higher-risk of hate-motivated crimes, like LGBTQ2S+, faith-based, or minority cultural groups.