Government of Canada invests in gun violence prevention in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia

NEW WATERFORD, NS, Sept. 14, 2026 /CNW/ -- The Government of Canada is taking action to protect Canadians from gun and gang violence. A key part of that action is providing direct support to communities throughout the country.

Today, Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Glace Bay on behalf of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, announced up to $1.5 million in funding to support gun and gang violence prevention in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia.

This federal investment is made through the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF), which provides funding to municipalities and Indigenous communities to support locally designed prevention and intervention initiatives that address the root causes of gun and gang violence. The goal is to provide children, youth and young adults with opportunities that will help guide them away from guns and gangs, strengthen community connections and make communities safer.

No single program or initiative can tackle the challenge of gun violence on its own. That is why the BSCF is one of the many elements in the Government's comprehensive plan to keep Canadians safe. The BSCF enables communities to implement targeted, community-based approaches that support youth who are involved in, or at risk of becoming involved in, gangs and violence.

Quotes

"Every young person deserves the chance to make good choices, feel supported, and see a positive path ahead. This funding is about reaching youth early -- before they start heading down the wrong path -- and making sure they have safe spaces, trusted people and real opportunities around them. By investing in prevention and in the local organizations doing this work every day, we're helping young people build brighter futures while creating safer, stronger communities across the CBRM."

 - Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Glace Bay on behalf of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety

"Strong communities are built when young people can see opportunity ahead of them and know they have people in their corner. This investment will help strengthen the local organizations that give youth safe places to belong, trusted adults to turn to, and positive pathways forward."

 - Cecil Clarke, Mayor of Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Quick Facts

• In March 2026, the Government of Canada announced renewed support of the BSCF providing $157.5 million over the next three years. The renewal builds on the $250 million announced in March 2022, providing funding to municipalities and Indigenous communities where it is needed most across Canada.
• Municipalities and Indigenous communities were selected for BSCF funding based on the nature and severity of crime in their jurisdiction.
• The Government of Canada has invested $1.5 billion over the past 10 years to strengthen law enforcement and gang prevention programs, most notably the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun Violence and the BSCF, to help stop gun crime and gang violence before it starts.
• The BSCF complements ongoing funding and programs offered through the Initiative to Take Action Against Gun and Gang Violence, such as the Gun and Gang Violence Action Fund and the Youth Gang Prevention Fund.

Associated Links

• Backgrounder - Building Safer Communities Fund
• Government of Canada renews support for gun violence prevention initiatives across Canada 
• Government takes action to prevent gun violence with $250 million Building Safer Communities Fund
• Government announces $390 million to help stop crime and violence
• Crime Prevention Action Fund

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SOURCE Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (PSEPC)

Contacts: Simon Lafortune, Deputy Director of Communications and Press Secretary, Office of the Honourable Gary Anandasangaree, Minister of Public Safety, [email protected]; Media Relations, Public Safety Canada, 613-991-0657, [email protected]; Shaylyn Kolanko, Senior Advisor, Office of Mike Kelloway, Member of Parliament for Sydney-Glace Bay, [phone], [email protected]; Christina Lamey, Communications Manager, Cape Breton Regional Municipality, [email protected], [phone]