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
December 2, 2022
In Progress
Previous Status
October 16, 2022
In Progress
Latest Updates
Site last updated on August 25, 2022
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
Southern Chiefs Organization (SCO) Launches Restorative Justice Digital Wellness Program
NationTalk: ANISHINAABE AND DAKOTA TERRITORY, MB — The Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) is launching a Restorative Justice Digital Wellness Program, guided by SCO’s Community Justice……
August 25, 2022
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador invests in Restorative Justice initiative
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador: $600,000 in funding to a restorative justice initiative led by Relationships First: Restorative Justice Education Consortium-NL. Relationships First: Restorative Justice……
May 26, 2022
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
Restorative Research, Innovation and Education Lab at the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University
Dept. of Justice: Government of Canada is providing financial support to the Restorative Research, Innovation and Education Lab (Restorative Lab) at the Schulich School of……
March 14, 2022
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
BC First Nations Justice Strategy
Dept. of Justice, Canada – Announcement of the signing of a tripartite memorandum of understanding (MOU) between BC, Canada and BC First Nations Justice Council……
January 20, 2022
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
Opposition to Gladue Reports
Cabin Radio – Gladue reports are not used and the territorial government says it is not considering using them any time soon. Instead, “Gladue factors”……
January 6, 2022
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
Alberta Community Restorative Justice Grants.
A total of $720,000 is available for organizations that help resolve disputes and promote meaningful alternative dispute resolutions that hold offenders accountable while addressing victims’……
November 18, 2021
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
Transition of Indigenous Court Workers Program to Indigenous organizations
The Manitoba government will transition operations of the Indigenous Court Workers Program to Indigenous rights holder organizations in key regional and circuit court locations through……
June 29, 2021
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
Investments to improve justice in Aboriginal and urban communities
14.1-million investment over four years to implement measures to support justice in Aboriginal and urban communities. The first measure will fund urban community justice programs, mainly……
June 7, 2021
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
BC First Nations Justice Council assumes management of BC’s Gladue report program
Beginning April 1, 2021, management of B.C.’s Gladue report program will transition from Legal Aid BC to the BC First Nations Justice Council. “This transition……
March 30, 2021
Indigenous-led Restorative Justice programs
Funding for increased deployment of courtworker services
As part of the government’s response to the Viens Commission, the MMIWG Inquiry and the Report on Racism, funding for an increased deployment of courtworker……
March 5, 2021