Overview

Ontario is committed to reducing illegal gun and gang violence by providing new resources to local police, prosecutors and community partners across the province. As part of our strategy, we’re investing in initiatives including:

  • a provincial gun and gang support unit that will support gun and gang investigations and prosecutions, and improve provincewide coordination
  • funding programs across Ontario to support major investigations that involve multiple police services, to target organized crime areas that fuel gang operations such as drug, gun and human trafficking. This includes the Gun and Gang Specialized Investigations Fund and the GTA/Greater Golden Horseshoe Guns and Gangs Fund.
  • more funding towards community policing programs to improve prevention and intervention of gun and gang violence by building stronger communities, as well as to enhance enforcement in at-risk areas
  • increased corrections intelligence and security with enhanced training for correctional staff about how to identify security threats, improve intelligence reporting and prepare for court, as well as specific challenges such as contraband smuggling
  • more supports to survivors of human trafficking, including dedicated prosecution resources, and future enhancements to the Victim Support Grant

Prevention programs

Ontario continues to invest in prevention programs for communities and youth at high risk of involvement in gangs, gun violence and victimization, to help break the cycle of offending. These programs will help to:

  • address root causes and risk factors of violence
  • prevent criminal activity

They also support at-risk youth and young adults with alternatives to entering gangs or exit strategies for those already involved in gang activity.