Mr. Speaker, I am deeply honoured to rise today and speak on such an important topic that affects Canadians, their peace of mind and their safety.
My speech will address the issue from a number of angles. Specifically, I would like to discuss the need to work in a much more systematic way with multiple stakeholders. I would also like to talk about the need to address the issue in a much more thoughtful way, as my colleague so aptly said, and from a legal perspective that takes our Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms into account.
Canadians expect to live in safe, peaceful communities. They want a government that is tough on crime but capable of making smart choices. That is exactly the path we are on. I want to start by thanking our partners, who are very important stakeholders in this decision. They include the mayors, provinces, police departments and community organizations doing critical work on the ground. Thanks to them, our fight against guns and gangs is making headway. They deserve recognition in the House and elsewhere for their daily commitment.
Unfortunately, gun violence remains a tragic reality in too many neighbourhoods. Every shooting and every life lost is a stark reminder that we must continue to work tirelessly. That is exactly what we are doing with stronger laws and strict enforcement. In recent years, we have modernized our laws to strengthen gun control. We have established stricter licensing rules, introduced tougher penalties for gun trafficking and smuggling, and put in place new tools to help law enforcement trace crime guns.
We have also invested in the RCMP and the CBSA to enhance their ability to intercept illegal weapons. We are working hand in hand with our American partners, because cross-border smuggling requires a coordinated response. Protecting Canadians requires strong laws as well as effective police co-operation.
I would like to focus on a word that carries a lot of weight, one that is extremely important, but that I do not often hear from the other side of the House. That word is prevention. Prevention means addressing the root cause. However, in order to address the root cause, we must first understand the social determinants that lead a person to commit a criminal act or a violent act that could be criminal.
However, we also know that just filling up prisons will not solve these problems. To build truly safe communities, we need to work on prevention. That is why we launched the building safer communities fund to provide $250 million directly to municipalities and indigenous communities. This funding supports grassroots prevention programs to provide tangible alternatives for at-risk youth so they do not end up in a life of crime.
This is in addition to $400 million for the gun and gang violence action fund, as well as ongoing investments through the national crime prevention strategy. These measures support on-the-ground initiatives, such as mentoring, sports, training and academic support. Every dollar invested in prevention is a dollar invested in the safety and future of our young people.
We also need to talk about how we have to break the cycle of recidivism. We may agree on that goal, but we disagree with how the members opposite want to go about achieving it. Public safety is not just about preventing people from embarking on a life of crime; it is also about preventing recidivism.
In 2022, we adopted a federal framework to reduce recidivism, a first in Canada. This framework identifies risk factors, supports rehabilitation and promotes the safe reintegration of offenders into society. Ultimately, breaking the cycle of recidivism also means breaking the cycle of violence.
Now let us talk about bail. Our government wants to reform the bail system to make it clearer and more effective. The rule is simple: When someone poses a threat to public safety, they must remain behind bars. When release is justified, it must be supervised so as to never compromise public confidence in the justice system. It is in this spirit that we are working closely with the provinces and territories to improve the system, always with the aim of striking a balance between public safety and respect for the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
In conclusion, there is no quick fix. Instead, we are implementing smart ideas to put an end to gun violence and street gangs. One thing is clear: By combining strong laws with better equipped police services and significant investments in prevention and rehabilitation, we can save lives and give Canadians back the basic right to feel safe in their communities. This is our government's commitment and the vision we are standing up for: a Canada that is safer, fairer and more united.