I believe all levels of government — federal, provincial and municipal— have a responsibility in this area. For that reason, the government provides funding to local groups to operate prevention programs. Over the past year, I have allocated substantial sums of money to groups across the country that work with street people and youth, particularly high-risk, vulnerable young people.
This year, the government is earmarking $21 million for this effort. I have advised our financial officers that we can continue funding local groups. I addressed this issue with my international counterparts at the G8 meeting of safety ministers, as well as with Interpol and Europol officials. I informed them that Canada takes this problem seriously, that it wants to prevent activities of this nature and to protect its young people, especially young women at risk.