Good afternoon. Thank you for inviting us.
My name is Marlene Deboisbriand. I'm the vice-president of Members Services at Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada.
I'll give my presentation in English. However, I'd be pleased to answer your questions in either French or English.
Thank you for inviting us.
I'm here with a colleague. Her name is Sandra Schwartz.
My presentation will be in English, but we can respond to questions in either language.
We actually know that many of you are already great supporters of our clubs across the country in your own ridings, helping with golf tournaments and various special events. Thank you for that.
We have 104 clubs, providing services in 700 community locations, including schools and shopping malls, basically anywhere where children and youth hang out. We provide services to over 200,000 young Canadians, quality, affordable, accessible, out-of-school programs—after-school and out-of-school. Our mission is to provide a safe place where children and youth can experience new opportunities, overcome barriers, build positive relationships, and develop confidence and skills for life.
We're here today to ask you for an investment in crime prevention. There is strong evidence that shows that youth crime and violence are not reduced by severe responses and by incarceration, but rather by effective crime prevention. We believe at Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada that, as a society, we need to create the conditions for youth to experience success through meaningful activities, positive role models, and viable education and employment opportunities, and that the policies and investments that sustain these conditions should have a prominent place in our country's crime control strategy.
According to a survey we did in 2005, funded by Sears Canada, a survey done by Ipsos Reid of Boys and Girls Clubs' alumni, or adults who came to our clubs as children and youth, 73% of the respondents say that their involvement with our clubs helped them avoid trouble with the law; 81% say that the club had a very positive impact on their lives; 97% say that their experience with the club made them better off today; and 69% say that their involvement with clubs saved their lives.
Violent crimes have been on the rise. According to Statistics Canada, violent crimes were 12% higher in 2006 than they were in 1997, and drug crimes committed by youth were 91% higher in 2006 than they were in 1997—91% higher. Youth crime is often gang-related. Gangs have a powerful appeal. They offer status, they offer protection, profit, mentoring, affiliation, and excitement. These are normal developmental needs that are being fulfilled in unhealthy ways. Boys and Girls Clubs provide a constructive alternative, as do other youth-serving organizations. There's an urgent need to invest in these opportunities that provide for healthy development and positive engagement of young people.
Numerous studies clearly demonstrate that investment in prevention reduces incarceration costs and criminal justice costs. Well-known researchers such as Dr. Michael Chettleburgh and James Alan Fox have demonstrated that high-quality after-school programming for youth have much greater payoffs than their minimal investments.
It's important to note that the prime time for juvenile crime is really after school and out of school. U.S. Vice-President Joe Biden, in a study done in 2002, noted that, wherever there is a Boys and Girls Club in the United States, there's a significant reduction in crime.
We have successful examples that have been funded by the National Crime Prevention Centre, such as the youth employment and local leadership program in an east Scarborough location, or Project Early Intervention, which was here in Ottawa. Those are great programs that were funded by the Government of Canada that produced great results. That's short-term funding.
Our recommendation is to invest $350 million per year in long-term funding commitments to organizations providing programming that have been proven as effective in crime prevention and in positive youth development. We strongly believe that if adequate federal funding, policy, and support is directed to youth prevention, a prosperous and sustainable future for Canadian children and youth, and their families and communities, would be achieved.
We also want to indicate our endorsement of the recommendations made by Imagine Canada, particularly the one recommendation related to the stretch credit for donations.
Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to your questions.
Merci.