Cash and proceeds seized from criminals will help support victims and prevent crime
| NEWS | June 19, 2026 |
NEWMARKET — To help support victims and prevent crime, the Ontario government is allocating up to $400,000 to BridgeNorth and Cedar Centre. The funding is being provided through the Civil Remedies Grant Program.
Up to $200,000 in funding for BridgeNorth will expand the LifeEdge Intervention Program, helping more youth aged 12 to 19 who have experienced sex trafficking or sexual exploitation access survivor-led, trauma-informed support services.
Up to $200,000 in funding for Cedar Centre will support the development of York Region’s first Child and Youth Advocacy Centre. This funding will help establish a child and youth advocacy team to support investigations and prosecution decision-making, while providing a safe, trauma-informed space designed to reduce further trauma for children and youth.
“Organizations like BridgeNorth and Cedar Centre play a critical role in supporting some of the most vulnerable members of our community. This funding will help ensure that children, youth, and families affected by violence, exploitation, and trauma have access to the specialized care and support they need close to home,” said Dawn Gallagher Murphy, MPP for Newmarket–Aurora. “I am proud that our government is investing in services that not only help survivors heal but also strengthen community safety across York Region.”
Through the 2026-28 Civil Remedies Grant Program, Ontario is allocating $5 million in cash and proceeds seized from criminals to help 27 law enforcement agencies and community and Indigenous organizations fight crime and strengthen public safety across the province.
“Our government is protecting Ontario by using every available tool, including civil forfeiture, to help police and community partners confront and dismantle criminal networks that prey on our communities,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “Crime should never pay, and these seized funds will help communities support victims of crime and break the cycle of offending.”
Funding through the Civil Remedies Grant Program is provided through the forfeiture of property or money that has been used for or results from crime.
Quick Facts
- In 2021, Ontario reinvested $1.5 million in cash and proceeds seized from criminals to support 18 community projects focused on helping victims of crime and strengthening local crime prevention.
- Through the Protect Ontario Through Safer Streets and Stronger Communities Act, the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act and related measures, Ontario is keeping communities safe and protecting victims of crime.
- Ontario is investing over $2.3 million over three years to expand access to the Independent Legal Advice program which provides free legal advice to victims of sexual assault, human trafficking, intimate partner violence and other sexual offences.
- Ontario is protecting young victims and witnesses of crime by investing $4.2 million to expand the Child Victim Witness Program to seven new communities.
- The Civil Remedies Grant Program is funded exclusively by assets seized and sold through the Civil and Administrative Forfeiture Program, including vehicles, luxury handbags, jewelry, cash and real estate.
Quotes
“The provincial support for Bridgenorth and Cedar Centre is an important investment for the well-being of young people across York Region. This funding will work toward strengthening advocacy services and expanding the resources available to vulnerable youth to ensure they are heard, supported, and guided through challenging circumstances.”
Michael Parsa, MPP for Aurora-Oak Ridges-Richmond Hill.
“BridgeNorth’s LifeEdge Program provides specialized, trauma-informed services and support for youth who have experienced sex trafficking and sexual exploitation, with a goal to help them heal, reduce the risk of re-exploitation, rebuild their lives, and thrive. This $200,000 grant from the Civil Remedies Grant Program will fund three additional spots in our LifeEdge Program for two years resulting in four to six youth between the ages of 12 – 19 receiving individualized support from a Case Manager, Support Worker, and Classroom Instructor that is tailored to their unique experiences, needs, and goals. In addition, at least 25 other community service providers will receive training to enhance the support they provide to victims of sex trafficking and sexual exploitation. BridgeNorth is grateful for this funding as we strive to meet the growing demand for our services.”
Karen Todd, Executive Director, BridgeNorth.
“This funding marks a transformative moment for our organization. As the first program of its kind in York Region, Cedar Centre’s Child/Youth Advocacy Program will ensure that children and youth who are victims of crime receive the specialized support they deserve. The funds that we receive through the 2026 – 2028 Civil Remedies Grant Program will change outcomes for children and families by providing a more coordinated, compassionate response to their experiences, while also strengthening and supporting the professionals who work every day to address violence against young people in our community. This is a meaningful step toward safer communities and a more responsive system of care.”
Alison Peck, Executive Director, Cedar Centre.