Ontario Investing $200,000 to Fight Back Against Crime in Thunder Bay
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Cash and proceeds seized from criminals will help support victims and prevent crime
News Release | April 27th, 2026
THUNDER BAY — To help support victims and prevent crime, the Ontario government is allocating up to $200,000 for Dilico Anishinabek Family Care in Fort William First Nation. The funding is being provided through the Civil Remedies Grant Program.
Funding will support the hiring of additional staff to strengthen Kizhaay Anishinaabe Niin (“I Am a Kind Man”) project, a 12-week, culturally grounded program that helps prevent community violence and victimization by using traditional teachings geared towards Indigenous men.
“By reinvesting proceeds seized from criminals, our government is supporting local organizations that are doing critical work in our communities.”said The Hon. Kevin Holland, MPP for Thunder Bay – Atikokan. “ Dilico Anishinabek Family Care plays an important role in strengthening families and communities, and this funding will help expand programs that prevent violence and support long-term healing."
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
“Dilico Anishinabek Family Care is deeply grateful for the investment made through the Civil Remedies Grant Program. This funding allows us to deliver culturally grounded supports for men impacted by domestic violence, creating meaningful pathways for accountability, healing, and compliance with probation conditions across our district.” – John Dixon, Director of SUH & Special Projects, Dilico Anishinabek Family Care