2009-11-10 18:33:03 -

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO -- (Marketwire) -- 11/10/09 -- Today, the Honourable Peter Van Loan, Minister of Public Safety, and the Honourable Michael Gravelle, Minister of Northern Development, Mines and Forestry, on behalf of the Honourable Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services for Ontario, announced a joint investment of $20 million to improve policing infrastructure in twelve First Nation communities in Ontario.



"This government is committed to giving our police the tools they need to prevent and solve crimes," said Minister Van Loan. "Modern facilities are needed to give law enforcement the upper hand to tackle modern criminals. Through these investments from Canada's Economic Action Plan, we are helping make streets in First Nations communities safer."



"Ontario is committed to providing our law enforcement partners with modern infrastructure through investments such as the one we are announcing today," said Minister Bartolucci. "Our government will continue to work with our First Nations and policing partners to move the yardsticks forward so that all Ontarians have the level of policing that is needed in their communities."



As part of Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government is providing $10.4 million of the total $20 million investment to improve First Nations policing infrastructure. Through the 2009 Ontario Budget - Confronting the Challenge: Building Our Economic Future - the province is investing $9.6 million to improve First Nations policing infrastructure.



For more information on:



- Canada's Economic Action Plan, please visit: www.actionplan.gc.ca : www.actionplan.gc.ca


- First Nation communities receiving funding, see: Backgrounder


- Ontario's Ministry of Community and Correctional Services, visit: www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca : www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca



Contacts:
Government of Canada
Chris McCluskey
Communications, Minister of Public Safety
613-991-0657

Government of Ontario
Laura Blondeau
Communications, Minister of Community Safety
and Correctional Services
416-325-4973