Canadian Centre for Safer Communities

Building communities where people are safe and feel safe

What We Do

The Canadian Centre for Safer Communities (CCFSC) is a community of practice created to inspire local action and foster community safety and well-being through national leadership, collaboration, capacity building, and knowledge exchange.

Why Become a Member

Members of CCFSC represent communities and organizations across the country. By becoming members, community representatives have access to services and benefits, including:

Opportunities for dialogue on common challenges, trends, evidence, and good practices.
A membership portal that provides access to research, evidence, and resources.
Community of practice sessions focusing on emerging community safety issues.
Knowledge exchange opportunities, such as training and peer mentoring.
Opportunities to connect and engage with practitioners from over 100 communities across Canada.

Introduction to Community Safety and Well-Being

Publications

Resources, Guides, and Reports

Quick Facts

In 2019, 2.6 million Canadians aged 15+ experienced violent victimization (Statistics Canada, 2021).
The total harm to Canadians from violence is estimated at $55 billion a year (Justice Canada, 2011).
Indigenous peoples experience disproportionate rates of violent victimization (Statistics Canada, 2021).
60 to 80% of calls to police are related to complex situations that are non-criminal in nature. Many of these situations would be more appropriately managed through a collaborative service delivery model that leverages the strengths of partners in the community (Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, 2021).

The World Health Organization and the United Nations emphasize the importance of developing comprehensive strategies to enhance community safety.
65% of effective community safety programs are services for youth and families, curricula in schools, and innovations in the health sector (crimesolutions.gov, n.d.).
Evidence-informed community safety and well-being initiatives are cost effective, with returns on investment of up to $18 per $1 invested (Washington State Institute on Public Policy, n.d.).
60% of Canadians prefer investing in prevention and education initiatives to increase community safety instead of more policing, courts, and prisons (Environics, 2013).