Call to Action # 31

We call upon the federal, provincial, and territorial governments to provide sufficient and stable funding to implement and evaluate community sanctions that will provide realistic alternatives to imprisonment for Aboriginal offenders and respond to the underlying causes of offending.

Bill C-22 “An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act “ died with the dissolution of parliament on Aug. 15, 2021 due to the federal election. The Act was intended to repeal the use of Mandatory Minimum sentences for 14 of 67 offences and increase the use of conditional sentencing orders (CSOs) in cases where an offender faces a term of less than two years imprisonment and does not pose a threat to public safety. the Bill was re-introduced on Feb. 18, 2021

The federal government has extended funding for three specific programs:

  • Indigenous Courtwork Program: Budget 2016 increased annual funding from $5.5M to $9.5M.
  • Indigenous Justice Program: Budget 2017 allocated a permanent amount of $11M annually. (CBC Beyond94 reported historical budget amount that was flagged as insufficient to meet the needs)
  • Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative: Budget 2017 allocated $10M over 5 years to Public Safety Canada

One area of concern is the Capacity Building Fund of the Aboriginal Justice Initiative is no longer accepting applications despite significant success of the program in reducing recidivism. 

Provinces/Territories are also implementing Restorative Justice programs.

May 17, 2019: The Public Prosecution Service of Canada’s National Committee on the Interaction of Indigenous Peoples with the Criminal Justice System announced they are reviewing the PPSC Deskbook to incorporate Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations. The PPSC Deskbook sets standards of conduct for federal prosecutors to ensure the objectivity, fairness, transparency, and consistency of prosecutions through a compilation of directives and guidelines.
One area of concern is Capacity Building Fund of the Aboriginal Justice Initiative is no longer accepting applications despite significant success of the program in reducing recidivism. Provinces/Territories are also implementing Restorative Justice programs.

Current Status

In Progress

Call to Action
last updated

January 30, 2024


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Actions to Reduce Overrepresentation

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Correctional Investigator Annual Report 2018-19

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Bill C-22

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Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs

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Govt. Acts to Reduce Overrepresentation

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CBA Response

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Indigenous Justice Programs

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Aboriginal Justice Strategy

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