News Release

Strengthening Aboriginal Community Justice In Ottawa

McGuinty Government Increasing Access To Justice For Aboriginal Peoples

January 12, 2009

News

Ontario is supporting a new justice initiative that will help to strengthen First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in Ottawa.

As part of a funding partnership with the federal government, Ontario will provide $57,500 in annual funding to the Odawa Native Friendship Centre to develop and implement a new Aboriginal Community Justice Program.

Under the new program, Aboriginal adults and youth in the criminal justice system will have access to pre- and post-charge direct accountability programs. Direct accountability programs require offenders to make direct amends to their victims and the community, as well as receive cultural and healing supports that help to reduce the risk of re-offending.

Quotes

"With Ontario's Aboriginal Justice Strategy we are increasing access to justice among Aboriginal peoples in Ontario," said Attorney General Chris Bentley. "The government is proud to support solutions developed by communities, for communities, to help ensure that the Aboriginal population has a voice in Ontario's justice system."

"We are pleased to be working with the Ontario government to provide new services to Ottawa's Aboriginal population," said Louise Lahache, President of the Odawa Native Friendship Centre. "This new program will fulfill a long standing need of Aboriginal people in Ottawa, and help to ensure that they have appropriate community support when navigating Ontario's justice system."

Quick Facts

• Ontario currently funds nine programs providing Aboriginal community justice in 23 locations across the province.
• Aboriginal Community Justice Programs in Ontario are benefiting from an additional $600,000 in provincial funding and a doubling of overall funding in partnership with the federal government.
• Ontario recently announced a $2 million Aboriginal Victims Grant Program to help fund community based projects to help First Nations, Métis and Inuit victims of crime. Grant recipients will be announced in the spring of 2009.

Learn More

Learn more about what people are saying

Ontario's New Approach to Aboriginal Affairs

Read the Ministry of the Attorney General's Crown policy manual section on Aboriginal justice.

Contacts

Sheamus Murphy
Minister's Office, 416-326-1785

Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch, 416-326-2210

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