News Release

Strengthening Aboriginal Community Justice In Kitchener-Waterloo

McGuinty Government Increasing Access To Justice For Aboriginal Peoples

January 26, 2009

News

Ontario is supporting the expansion of a court program that will increase access to justice for Aboriginal communities in Kitchener-Waterloo.

In a funding partnership with the federal government, Ontario will be providing $47,295 annually to help the Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto provide Gladue services to the Kitchener-Waterloo area, including Guelph and Cambridge.

Through this expanded program, a new Gladue (or Aboriginal) case worker will be available to provide courts in Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Cambridge with specialized reports, which can be taken into account during the sentencing of Aboriginal offenders.

Recommendations in these reports address the current and historic circumstances of the offender and identify the resources available to address the offender's needs. If the court accepts the recommendations, the Gladue worker will provide offenders with referrals to aftercare services to support the healing process and reduce the risk of re-offending.

Quotes

"The expansion of the Gladue program into Kitchener-Waterloo will help the courts make decisions that are in the best interest of both the community and the offender," said Attorney General Chris Bentley. "Working together, our aim is to establish a comprehensive justice system that works locally to address justice-related issues and challenges."

"The Ontario government recognizes the distinct culture of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people," said Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Brad Duguid. "Gladue services help to ensure that Aboriginal people are treated with respect and in a culturally appropriate manner when dealing with Ontario's justice system."

"These services will increase access to justice and strengthen the voices of First Nations, Métis and Inuit people in Ontario's justice system," said Leeanna Pendergast, MPP Kitchener-Conestoga.

"Ontario is proud to be working with Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto to provide a valuable service to both our courts and the Aboriginal people in our community," said John Milloy, MPP Kitchener Centre.

"We are pleased to be working with the Ontario government to expand Gladue services to Aboriginals living in Kitchener-Waterloo, Guelph and Cambridge," said Kimberly Murray, Executive Director of Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto. "These services will help ensure that Aboriginal people involved in the criminal justice system will have the support they need."

Quick Facts

• Gladue is named for the pivotal 1999 Supreme Court of Canada decision in R. v Gladue [1999] 1 S. C. R. 688. In this case, the Court interpreted the meaning of section 718(2) (e) of the Criminal Code which states that when imposing a sentence, a court should look at all available sanctions, other than imprisonment, paying particular attention to the circumstances of Aboriginal offenders.
• 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 currently funds 11 programs providing Aboriginal community justice in 23 locations across the province.
• 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

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

Back to top