PICTOU LANDING FIRST NATION, NOVA SCOTIA -- (Marketwire) -- 12/15/12 -- Today, on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada's Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence, Regional Minister for Nova Scotia and Member of Parliament for Central Nova, announced today that support has been extended for the successful crime prevention program, Project Venture, run by the Mi'kmaw Legal Support Network.

"I am very proud to announce additional funding for this worthy project that helps at-risk Aboriginal youth in Nova Scotia communities," said Minister MacKay. "This is yet another example of how our government is working to prevent crime and improve the safety of our communities."

Project Venture helps children and youth, between the ages of 10 to 14, who are most at-risk of offending make smart choices and steer clear of crime. This initiative operates in the First Nations communities of Eskasoni, Indian Brook, Membertou, and Pictou Landing. Participants take part in school-based, community, family and outdoor activities. These activities address the risk factors of substance abuse, as well as participants' lack of problem-solving skills, connection to culture and community, and recreational opportunities.

The government is extending this project for eight months and providing close to $224,000 in additional funding. Support for this project demonstrates the government's commitment to preventing crime, and making our streets and communities safer places to live, work, and raise our families.

This fall, the government also committed up to $10 million toward new crime prevention projects under the National Crime Prevention Strategy. These projects will aim to prevent violence among at-risk youth, criminal involvement among urban Aboriginal children and youth, and school-based bullying.

From April 2011 to March 2012, the government funded 135 community-based crime prevention programs through the National Crime Prevention Strategy, in which more than 17,000 at-risk youth participated.

For more information, please visit the website www.publicsafety.gc.ca.

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