By Greg Fry

Kamloops MP calls timing of federal gang violence funding announcement ‘suspicious’

Nov 17, 2017 | 4:09 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo Conservative MP Cathy McLeod has questioned the timing of today’s federal funding announcement of $327.6 million over five years and $100 million a year after that to fight gun and gang violence in Canada.

Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale made the announcement in Surrey – ground zero for gang activity in this province.

“You know certainly anything to fight gun and gang violence is welcome,” she told CFJC Today. “In many ways I think it’s a couple of years too late and I think the timing is very ironic with the by-election in the Surrey area happening now.”

She added it’s too soon to know whether the money will be put to use in Kamloops.

“I need to look at the details. I think it’s an important issue, I’m glad that they’re going to be spending some dollars but I do really think it’s a little bit late and the timing is suspicious.”

Question of the Week

If the time change was eliminated in B.C., which time would you prefer?

6h ago

Week in Review

Week in Review: Week of Oct. 28

11h ago

One Man's Opinion

COLLINS: Sometimes you have to abandon your principles and yield to your natural instinct

Nov 03, 2024

The federal government says the money will finance a variety of programs to cut gun crime and gang activities noting there was 2,465 criminal firearms violations last year, an increase of 30 per cent since 2013.

It also says 76 per cent of gang-related homicides involve firearms, compared with 20 per cent of non-gang killings.