Quebec Crime Prevention Week

Quebec held its annual crime prevention week from the 7-13 of November this year on the theme of gangs.  Following the launch on November 6th, the Minister of Public Safety, Mr. Jacques Chagnon, announced that around 20 community organisations together would receive about $1 million (CAD) to prevent street gangs. 

Following this week of prevention, two training days in prevention were held on the 16th and 17th of November in Quebec.  This 4th anniversary of  training sessions forms part of the implementation of the province's national prevention policy « Pour des milieux de vie plus sécuritaires ».

During these two training days, a choice of 24 workshops was offered to the participants.  Dissemination of crime prevention tools was a central component of the training event, including the Quebec National Institute of Public Health's web based Resource Centre on the promotion of safety and the prevention of crime (www.crpspc.qc.ca ) and the Fondation Docteur Philippe-Pinel Toolkit for Safer Cities.  Youth and how to establish successful relations with them was also highlighted.  At the opening session, participants had the opportunity to listen to youth from the Motiv’action Jeunesse programme who talked about their preoccupations and dreams.
 
At the closing session, street youths from the Œuvres de la Maison Dauphine, unveiled a large painting they had produced during the two-day event.  Marina Orsini, a well known Quebec actress and spoksperson for  Tel-Jeunes (a telephone hotline helping youth) adressed the participants.  She stressed the importance of  listening to and supporting youth, and of recognizing their potential.  The painting, she added, clearly demonstrated the artistic talents of many of these marginalized youths. More information on the Quebec Crime Prevention and Week and Training Seminars may be obtained  on the web site of the Ministry of Public Safety at http://www.msp.gouv.qc.ca , under prevention.      

Please note, that the Department of Public Safety will organize a crime prevention symposium every two years, including activity days.