Ottawa renews anti-gang, gun violence program with $390M in funding

The Canadian government is earmarking $390 million for a program that aims to combat gun and gang violence.

Public Safety Minister Marco Mendicino says provinces and territories will receive the money for the renewed initiative over the next five years.

Making the announcement in Mississauga, Ont., Mendicino says the funding will go toward several strategies, including support for police and prevention programs.

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In November 2017, the federal government announced nearly $327 million in funding over five years to fight the rise in gun violence and gang activity in Canada.

The money has been used in Quebec for Operation Centaur, a provincewide initiative with the goal of disrupting firearms trafficking and preventing crime.

British Columbia has invested the funding in its Organized Crime Agency, a police organization that tackles gun smuggling, drug trafficking and other organized crime.

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