$2.9M to prevent gun violence in Windsor. Then what?

Ottawa's $2.9M gun and gang prevention deal with Windsor was set to end March 31, 2026. It now runs to March 31, 2027. City records list what it funded. We found no public report on results or a plan for after. What did it achieve?

Topics: Public safety

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Our earlier explainer looked at what the numbers say about guns in Windsor-Essex. This follow-up looks at the prevention money.

The money

The federal Building Safer Communities Fund, run by Public Safety Canada, pays for programs that try to stop youth gun and gang violence before it starts. Public Safety Canada's grants record lists agreement 23078, "City of Windsor - BSCF," at $2,904,415.43. When the money was announced on Nov. 16, 2023, Ottawa called it "more than $2.7 million"; later versions of the record show the total rising to $2.9 million. The City's 2026-2029 community safety plan also lists $2.9 million over three years.

Where it went

Public Safety Canada's 2026 evaluation of the fund says Windsor first used the money for two non-profit service providers, New Beginnings and Youth Diversion. It says the City also set up a Crime Prevention Council, supported the Children's Aid Society's Youth Thrive program, and expanded supervised programs in City parks after hours.

A City report to the Community Services Standing Committee in May 2025 lists the funded programs: New Beginnings' Risk Intervention and Prevention Program, a supportive residence for at-risk youth and a program team backing the Regional Crime Prevention Council; Youth Diversion's Rebound social skills group; the Children's Aid Society's YouThrive project; and a Sandwich Teen Action Group program on youth gun and gang violence.

The clock

City committee records from 2025 said the funding would end in March 2026 and that a sustainability plan was being developed. On March 31, 2026, the federal government announced up to $157.5 million to extend the fund for three more years. Public Safety Canada's evaluation says staff then signed amendments to extend existing projects to March 31, 2027, including all agreements in its Ontario region. The latest version of Windsor's federal record shows an end date of March 31, 2027.

Results

At a Community Services Standing Committee meeting on May 7, 2025, Ward 6 Councillor Jo-Anne Gignac said she wanted future reports to show the link between dollars spent and the impact. City staff said reports with more detailed performance measures could be produced for council. The City's video of the meeting shows the same exchange.

Windsor News emailed Gignac on Oct. 27 asking for comment, with copies to the City's corporate communications staff. She did not respond by the deadline, 1 p.m. on Oct. 28, and neither did the City's communications staff.

City records describe what the money paid for, but we did not find a public report on what it achieved, such as how many young people took part or what changed. The May 2025 program list gives no participant numbers or results. The City's 2026-2029 Windsor Essex Community Safety and Well-Being Plan mentions the $2.9 million; we did not find results for that money in it.

Questions for the City

How many young people took part in each funded program, and what changed for them?

What results has the City reported to Public Safety Canada?

Is more federal money lined up for when the deal ends on March 31, 2027, and what is the plan if it is not?