Minister of Public Safety Marco Mendicino announced a $3 million investment on Monday to the city of London, Ont. for gun crime prevention.
The announcement comes as the federal Liberals face ongoing criticism, including from senior police figures, for appearing to prioritize firearms regulations over measures to prevent crime.
The $3 million for gun crime prevention comes as part of the federal government’s “Building Safer Communities Fund” (BSCF). Mendicino announced the fund in March 2022, pledging $250 million to programs that steer Canadian youth away from gangs.
“Investments in grassroots efforts in London are essential to addressing the social conditions that lead youth and young adults to get involved in a life of crime,” said Mendicino.
According to an estimate from the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), the total investment for BSCF may be nearly three times less than what the government will spend on its controversial gun ban and buyback scheme.
In 2021, the PBO estimated it will cost the government between $47 million and $756 million to ban and buy back firearms, whereas the BSCF caps off at $250 million for gun crime prevention programs.
Six-hundred thousand more had been spent on bans and buybacks than was invested today in London, Ont. before a single firearm was purchased by the government.
Meanwhile, Bill C-27, which aims to further restrict the list of guns Canadians can legally own, has been heavily criticized for infringing on the rights of sport shooters and hunters.
