The Ontario government revealed last week that it will put $5 million from seized criminal assets back into community safety programs throughout the province. Two projects in Barrie are each getting $200,000 over a two-year period.
Attorney General Doug Downey and Minister of Red Tape Reduction Andrea Khanjin made this announcement with Mayor Alex Nuttall and Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston, sharing details about funding for 27 recipients across the province as part of the 2026-2028 Civil Remedies Grant program.
In our area, the Barrie Police Service is taking charge of Project Bright Futures. This initiative aims to provide recreational, arts-based, and mental health support for at-risk youth and is being delivered in collaboration with CFS Counselling and Well-Being, the City of Barrie, and the Salvation Army.
Mayor Alex Nuttall expressed gratitude to the province for its continued support of Barrie’s social services, highlighting how these efforts have enhanced safety on local streets.
Barrie Police Chief Rich Johnston told Simcoe Community Media that Project Bright Futures takes a proactive approach to break the cycle of violence before young people become entangled in the justice system.
Attorney General Doug Downey mentioned that the province is transforming crime proceeds into prevention tools, describing this $5-million reinvestment as a focused effort to boost public safety.
Barrie-Innisfil MPP Andrea Khanjin stated that this funding will provide at-risk youth with positive activities and strong mentorship while working to disrupt cycles of violence within families in our community.
Hayley Murdoch-Fyke from the John Howard Society of Simcoe Muskoka pointed out that their BRICS program tackles the root causes of gender-based violence through prevention, accountability, and meaningful behavior change.
The John Howard Society of Simcoe Muskoka plans to use its portion to expand BRICS, which targets youth aged 14 to 24 as well as men involved in violent relationships.
When asked by reporters about this effort, Attorney General Doug Downey praised the John Howard Society for already doing important work on the ground instead of creating new programs from scratch.
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