Overview of the Promise

During his campaign for prime minister, Mark Carney pledged to prevent crime before it starts by extending the Building Safer Communities Fund (BSCF). The promise specifically emphasized prioritizing approaches to steer youth away from criminal activity and supporting Indigenous-led community safety priorities. This commitment was part of a broader public safety plan announced in April 2025, focusing on evidence-based prevention strategies rather than solely on policing and enforcement.

Actions Taken by the Carney Government

Since assuming office in 2025, the Carney government has made several announcements and allocated funds that align with extending and utilizing the BSCF. In March 2025, the government invested over $107 million to combat gun violence and crime in Quebec, which includes support for community-based prevention programs. This funding targets underlying social conditions contributing to violence, consistent with the BSCF's original mandate.

Additionally, in February 2025, funding was announced under the Crime Prevention Action Fund to support youth crime prevention in Montreal, providing resources to community organizations aimed at steering at-risk youth away from criminal paths. These initiatives have been rolled out through Public Safety Canada, with a focus on evidence-based interventions such as youth outreach and mentorship programs.

Regarding Indigenous-led priorities, the government has integrated support for Indigenous communities into its safety funding. For instance, announcements in 2025 have highlighted investments in projects that address Indigenous community safety, including those tackling the overdose crisis and violence prevention, which overlap with BSCF goals. This includes funding for community-led projects that empower Indigenous groups to develop their own safety strategies.

Legislation and Policy Developments

No new standalone legislation has been passed specifically to extend the BSCF, but the government has utilized existing frameworks under Public Safety Canada to continue and expand funding. The BSCF, originally launched in 2022 with $250 million, has seen continued allocations in 2025, including the 2025-2026 funding round described as the final one in some municipal contexts, but with ongoing federal commitments. Budget 2024 measures, carried forward into 2025, include provisions for safer communities that support crime prevention, though these are not exclusively tied to new laws.

In April 2025, shortly after Carney's election, the Liberal platform's public safety plan was implemented through executive actions, such as funding announcements for prevention programs. There has been no formal bill introduced in Parliament to permanently extend the BSCF beyond 2026, but administrative extensions have kept the fund operational, with priorities on youth and Indigenous safety embedded in grant distributions.

Progress on Key Promise Elements

The extension of the BSCF has been partially achieved through continued funding announcements in 2025, such as the Quebec investment and youth-focused grants in Montreal, which demonstrate active use of the fund for prevention. Approaches to steer youth away from crime are evident in programs like those in Surrey and Whitehorse, where federal funds support at-risk youth interventions, though these build on pre-existing initiatives.

Support for Indigenous-led priorities is progressing via inclusive funding models, including consultations and grants that prioritize Indigenous input, as seen in broader community-building investments across provinces. However, full implementation across all regions remains ongoing, with some critics noting that while funding is flowing, long-term sustainability beyond 2026 is unclear.

Challenges and Path Forward

The promise is currently in progress, with tangible funding and programs launched, but it risks stalling if no permanent extension is secured. To become kept, the government must pass legislation or allocate multi-year funding to extend the BSCF beyond 2026, ensuring sustained support for youth steering programs and Indigenous priorities nationwide. It would be considered broken if funding ceases after the 2025-2026 cycle without replacement mechanisms, or if youth and Indigenous components are deprioritized in favor of enforcement-focused policies.

Overall Status

This promise is in progress.