Ontario Investing $400,000 to Fight Back Against Crime in Simcoe County and Muskoka Region

April 18, 2026

Cash and proceeds seized from criminals will help support victims and prevent crime

BARRIE — To help support victims and prevent crime, the Ontario government is allocating up to $200,000 for Barrie Police Service and up to $200,000 for the John Howard Society of Simcoe & Muskoka. The funding is being provided through the Civil Remedies Grant Program.

Funding will support the Barrie Police Service and community organizations in increasing access to free recreational programming for at-risk youth. Community partners will also receive crisis intervention and behaviour management training to help protect vulnerable, at-risk youth from crime and victimization. Funding for the John Howard Society of Simcoe & Muskoka will be used to enhance the existing Healthy Relationships Program, which focuses on skill-building for promoting positive and healthy relationships.

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.
  • Additional Resources
  • Civil Remedies Act