News Release

For Immediate Release
January 20, 2009

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McGuinty Government Increasing Access To Justice For Aboriginal Peoples

NEWS

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

Through a funding partnership with the federal government, Ontario will provide $108,000 annually to the Enaahtig Healing Lodge and Learning Centre to develop and implement an Aboriginal Community Justice Program. Clients of the Enaahtig Community Justice Program will have access to a full continuum of services at Enaahtig Healing Lodge, which includes prevention, intervention, treatment and after-care. The program will serve First Nations, Métis and Inuit in an area that includes Barrie, Orillia, Midland and Collingwood.

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

QUOTES

"We're strengthening Aboriginal criminal justice in Ontario by increasing Aboriginal participation in the delivery of justice services," said Attorney General Chris Bentley. "We want to strengthen the voice of Aboriginal people within the criminal justice system and find ways of addressing justice-related issues and challenges."

"Our government respects and recognizes the distinct culture among First Nations, Métis and Inuit people," said Minister of Aboriginal Affairs Brad Duguid. "This new program will help ensure that Aboriginal people are treated with respect and in a culturally appropriate manner when dealing with Ontario's justice system."

"Working together with First Nations, Métis and Inuit people living in Simcoe County, our aim is to establish comprehensive justice services that work locally to support healing and reduce the risk of re-offending," said Aileen Carroll, MPP Barrie.

"We appreciate the funding from the Ontario government for our new Aboriginal Community Justice Program, which will provide restorative justice services to Aboriginal people in Simcoe County," said Nena LaCaille, Executive Director, Enaahtig Healing Lodge and Learning Centre. "This new program will help us to play a more active role in delivering justice services within our own community."

QUICK FACTS

• 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.

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