Ontario, much like any other jurisdiction in Canada, experiences various types of crime in each of its urban, rural and remote communities. Ontario has an existing vast pool of resources to support a comprehensive and integrated approach in responding to crime and victimization in communities across the province. While a more comprehensive discussion of Ontario’s partners is provided in section 5, from a provincial perspective, various government ministries play a significant role in contributing to community well-being and addressing the risk factors associated with crime and victimization. The Ontario government has taken significant steps to reduce future levels of crime and victimization by focussing on the areas of community safety, education, health care, and poverty, among others.

Overview of Ontario’s resources

  • 20 Universities, 28 community colleges, and over 1,800 elementary and high schools
  • University-based Centres of Criminology and/or Crime Prevention
  • About 30 provincial government ministries
  • Over 50 municipal police services
  • 9 First Nations Police Services
  • Ontario Provincial Police
  • Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
  • Over 200 hospital sites
  • Over 300 community mental health organizations
  • Over 150 addiction treatment organizations
  • 74 Schedule 1 psychiatric facilities
  • 50 Human Services and Justice Coordinating Committees
  • 116 diversion and court support programs through community mental health
  • 67 community crime prevention councils
  • 160 residential facilities for abused women and children
  • About 30 provincial adult correctional facilities
  • Dedicated youth justice custody/detention facilities
  • 416 community-based youth justice services and programs
  • 53 Children’s Aid Societies
  • 119 adult parole / probation offices; 64 youth justice probation offices
  • Over 440 Municipalities
  • 133 First Nation communities
  • 29 Friendship Centres
  • Association of Municipalities of Ontario