Projects of Public Legal Education Associations of Sask., Yukon awarded funding
Gary Anandasangaree, public safety minister, announced over $3.7 million in funding for 23 Canadian organizations’ projects raising awareness of “Red Flag” laws among women, those with mental health conditions, Indigenous and racialized communities, and others at risk of firearm-related harm.
The projects of the organizations awarded funding take into account the unique needs of the communities served. According to Public Safety Canada’s news release, the organizations will help individuals and support networks take advantage of applicable protections under “Red Flag” laws by offering inclusive and easily understandable resources.
“These projects are designed to ensure that individuals at risk of firearms-related harm can understand, access and confidently use the protections available to them, helping to prevent harm before it occurs,” Anandasangaree said in the news release.
The news release noted that “Red Flag” laws seek to help safeguard people in situations where an individual’s access to a firearm or another weapon risks their own or others’ safety, including situations involving those at risk of suicide or domestic, gender-based, or intimate partner violence.
Under “Red Flag” laws, anybody can apply to the court to temporarily prevent weapon access to an individual posing such risks to themselves or others.
According to the news release, in 2024, among victims of violent crime surveyed, intimate partners victimized 28 percent, 78 percent of whom were women and girls.
The news release shared that the “Red Flag” awareness initiative began last February as part of the Canadian government’s work to fight against firearm-related crime and violence. The federal government’s approach includes:
- imposing lifetime background checks
- limiting access to high-risk firearms
- investing in law enforcement and border operations
- funding for communities to address firearm violence’s root causes
- preventing gun and gang violence
- fortifying the country’s firearm laws
Projects funded
According to the backgrounder, the 23 organizations awarded funding included, among others:
- Public Legal Information Association of Newfoundland (PLIAN): $179,450 for Raising Awareness of Red Flag Laws and Procedures in NL
- Yukon Public Legal Education Association (YPLEA): $111,228 for Red Flag Laws Publication and Information Sessions
- Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan (PLEA): $40,104 for the Saskatchewan Red Flag Laws Awareness Project
PLIAN’s project seeks to spread awareness regarding the procedures for obtaining protective orders under “Red Flag” laws through printed and online resources using plain language, a media campaign, and in-person presentations.
“This initiative will strengthen PLIAN's ongoing public legal education efforts through the Journey Project, which has provided legal support navigation over 1,575 survivors of gender-based violence and offered trauma-informed training to thousands of lawyers, judges, court staff, law enforcement members, and other service providers,” said Kevin O'Shea, PLIAN’s executive director.
YPLEA’s project aims to support organizations via a Yukon-specific publication and information sessions for rural and remote communities.
“Using the Red Flag Awareness funding we will be able to provide outreach to rural and remote communities across the Yukon as well as within the urban centre of Whitehorse, providing information regarding these legislative changes and increasing knowledge of the justice system,” said Baird Mackinson, YPLEA’s executive director.
PLEA’s project intends to deliver plain language legal information in print, on online platforms and videos, and via direct email and phone support, for the benefit of victims, Indigenous people, rural and remote communities, and Saskatchewan’s general public.
“Funding from Public Safety Canada will allow the Public Legal Education Association of Saskatchewan to develop plain language legal information in a variety of formats, including infographics, videos, a poster, and online, to educate the public about Canada's Red Flag laws and to provide information about making applications under these laws,” said Joel Janow, PLEA’s executive director.
