Season 2, Episode 2 Strengthening Community Safety in Scarborough To help support victims and prevent crime, the Ontario government is allocating up to $195,000 for Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services. Funding will support The Shield Program, an intervention pilot program that focuses on girls aged 10 to 18, including those from racialized, Indigenous, newcomer, and LGBTQ2SD+ communities, who are vulnerable to human trafficking. The program will provide counselling, legal and housing support, along with educational sessions aimed at raising awareness of activities and situations that may lead to victimization. “Through this $195,000 provincial investment in Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services, a Scarborough-based organization, provided through the Office of the Hon. Doug Downey, Attorney General of Ontario, our government is continuing to demonstrate its commitment, under the leadership of Premier Ford, to improving community safety and supporting prevention-based initiatives that make a real difference in the lives of Scarborough residents and families .” — MPP David Smith Through the 2026-28 Civil Remedies Grant Program, Ontario is allocating $5 million in cash and proceeds seized from criminals to help 27 law enforcement agencies and community and Indigenous organizations fight crime and strengthen public safety across the province. “Our government is protecting Ontario by using every available tool, including civil forfeiture, to help police and community partners confront and dismantle criminal networks that prey on our communities,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. In 2021, Ontario reinvested $1.5 million in cash and proceeds seized from criminals to support 18 community projects focused on helping victims of crime and strengthening local crime prevention. Through the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act and related measures, Ontario is keeping communities safe and protecting victims of crime. Ontario is investing over $2.3 million over three years to expand access to the Independent Legal Advice program which provides free legal advice to victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, intimate partner violence and other sexual offences. Ontario is protecting young victims and witnesses of crime by investing $4.2 million to expand the Child Victim Witness Program to seven new communities. The Civil Remedies Grant Program is funded exclusively by assets seized and sold through the Civil and Administrative Forfeiture Program, including vehicles, luxury handbags, jewelry, cash and real estate. “The Civil Remedies Grant Program provides the essential foundation for ‘The Shield Program,’ allowing us to deliver a proactive, trauma-informed lifeline to high-risk youth in Scarborough. By reinvesting these resources into early intervention and digital safety, we are empowering young women to recognize exploitation before it begins, effectively strengthening the safety and resilience of our community.” – Dr. Sudip Minhas, Executive Director, Settlement Assistance and Family Support Services And remember, Ford Fest 2026 is coming to our community! That’s right. Ford Fest, a free family and community event, will happen on Friday June 19 at Thomson Memorial Park in Scarborough Centre. Food, games, networking, family fun, the Ontario government caucus, Premier Ford – all right in the heart of Scarborough. So stay tuned for updates and additional information. Or call the community office of MPP David Smith for more details at 416-615-2183. Ford Fest 2026 Thomson Memorial Park 1050 Brimley Road - Scarborough #scarborough #communityevents #scarboroughevents #davidsmithmpp #mppdavidsmith #scarboroughcentre #protectontario #movingontarioforward #workingforyou #ontariogovernment #queenspark #working4u #canadianleaders #premierford #onpoli #communitysafety
