("Aboriginal people make up roughly 18 per cent of the prison population in Canada, even although they are only 2.5 per cent of the overall population. This disgraceful statistic alone provides justification for the federal government's decision to renew the aboriginal justice strategy for five years at a cost of $57.5 million." Quote From Other Views, Victoria Times Colonist, August 17, 2002)

"Canada's justice system faces challenges when it comes to the equitable treatment of Aboriginal people.

Over the past five years, the Aboriginal Justice Strategy has fostered a new sense of optimism in First Nations, Inuit and Northern communities. The strategy implements justice programs that meet local needs and reflect local traditions. Many of the programs have been tremendously successful, improving access, reducing the rate of repeat offenders and strengthening communities.

Typically, these programs borrow elements of Aboriginal traditions, such as sentencing circles. As a result, people feel that the justice system is more responsive to their needs. The success of these programs clearly demonstrates the benefits of aligning our system of justice with the needs and values of the citizenry."

The above words are from Canada's Justice System - New Directions - An Address by Canada's Minister of Justice and Attorney General Martin Cauchon - August 12, 2002 - Canadian Bar Association, London, Ontario.

JUSTICE MINISTER ANNOUNCES $60 MILLION FOR COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

SASKATOON, August 14, 2002 -- Today, the Honourable Martin Cauchon, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, announced $57.5 million in funding to renew the national Aboriginal Justice Strategy for five years, as well as the investment of more than $2.4 million for 29 crime prevention projects in communities across Saskatchewan.

"This funding represents a major commitment by the Government of Canada to work more effectively with Aboriginal communities with regard to certain criminal matters," said Minister Cauchon. "With our provincial and community partners, we are taking a multi-pronged approach, tackling the grass root causes of crime right through to making the mainstream justice system more sensitive to the needs and culture of Aboriginal communities."

Minister Cauchon made the announcement with the Honourable Chris Axworthy, Q.C., Saskatchewan Minister of Justice and Attorney General and Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, at the White Buffalo Youth Lodge in Saskatoon.

The $57.5 million, an increase from its previous funding level, will ensure the continuation of the Aboriginal Justice Strategy (AJS) for another five years to March 31, 2007. The Strategy provides funding, some of which is cost-shared with provinces and territories for community-based justice programs that: aim to reduce the rates of crime and incarceration among Aboriginal people; assist Aboriginal people to assume greater responsibility for the administration of justice within their communities; and foster changes within the mainstream justice system to better respond to the unique needs and cultures of Aboriginal communities. In 2001-2002, the AJS committed approximately $6.4 million to support nearly 90 Aboriginal justice programs across the country that provide services to about 280 Aboriginal communities.

Also, and for the first time, limited funding will be available to assist a variety of stakeholders to build capacity, primarily through training and development, to get those communities up to a level where they can begin to administer their own justice programs.

To implement this renewed Aboriginal Justice Strategy, Justice Canada will work in partnership with the provinces and territories, Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, the Solicitor General of Canada, and community stakeholders.

The $2.4 million for 29 Saskatchewan crime prevention projects has been provided under the Government of Canada's National Crime Prevention Strategy. Launched in 1998 by the Departments of Justice Canada and Solicitor General Canada, the National Strategy is built upon partnerships with the provinces and territories, and is aimed at developing community-based responses to crime.

"The many organizations that are working diligently to address the root causes of crime in Saskatchewan deserve our congratulations. Their initiatives are helping communities develop and implement responses to the risk factors that contribute to crime and victimization, which may ultimately work to create safer homes and streets across the province," said Minister Cauchon.

"Saskatchewan Justice has made it a priority to partner with communities throughout the province, to support crime prevention programs for youth. Healthy communities are built one interaction at a time. Just one moment of caring can be enough to light the way to a brighter future. The programs funded through this initiative provide activities and positive role models so kids will see that positive, healthy lifestyle choices are available to them," said Minister Axworthy.

The National Strategy places a particular emphasis on Aboriginal communities, children, youth and women's personal security. It takes an early-intervention approach and supports innovative, grass-roots responses to the problems of crime and victimization. Many of the projects announced today are directed to at-risk children and youth, and notable among are the number of projects from Aboriginal communities that are focused upon building leadership and skill development among young people.

Funding for 26 of these projects is provided under the Community Mobilization Program, which is jointly administered by the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, while the remaining projects are funded under the National Strategy's Business Action Program and Investment Fund.

Since its launch, the National Strategy has supported more than 2,400 projects in over 610 communities across the country. In July 2001, the Government of Canada announced the investment of a further $145 million over four years, in addition to the $32 million per year this Strategy already receives. Together, the Aboriginal Justice Strategy and the National Crime Prevention Strategy will continue to address the over-representation of Aboriginal people in the Canadian criminal justice system.

For more information on the Aboriginal Justice Strategy, please consult the Backgrounders or contact the Media Relations Office at (613) 957-4207.

For more information on the National Crime Prevent Strategy, please visit http://www.crime-prevention.org/.

Ref.:
Mark Stokes National Crime Prevention Strategy (613) 954-1721

Media Relations Office Department of Justice Canada (613) 957-4207

Suzanne Thébarge Minister Cauchon's Office (613) 992-4621

Debi McEwan Saskatchewan Department of Justice (306) 787-6043

The Aboriginal Justice Strategy (AJS) was announced in 1996 to address over-representation of Aboriginal people in the criminal justice system and to respond to Aboriginal communities' desire for greater control over the administration of justice.

Although the AJS was originally to end on March 31, 2001, in the Speech from the Throne (January 30, 2001), the federal government made a commitment to renew the AJS in order "to significantly reduce the percentage of Aboriginal people entering the criminal justice system, so that within a generation it is no higher than the Canadian average". This Strategy has therefore been renewed for another five years with about $57.5 million over five years, which represents a slight increase over previous funding levels.

What is the Aboriginal Justice Strategy?

The Aboriginal Justice Strategy ("AJS") provides funding, some of which is cost-shared with provinces and territories, to community-based justice programs aimed at reducing the rates of crime and incarceration among Aboriginal people, assisting Aboriginal people to assume greater responsibility for administration of justice within their communities, and making the mainstream justice system more sensitive to the needs and culture of Aboriginal communities.

The Aboriginal Justice Directorate of Justice Canada manages the AJS which provides funding under the Aboriginal Justice Fund and includes other funding for the Aboriginal Justice Learning Network (AJLN). The AJD also develops policy related to Aboriginal justice issues and represents the department in self-government negotiations related to the administration of justice.

Links with other federal government departments

Justice Canada delivers the AJS in partnership with the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development (DIAND). Justice Canada also works closely on the AJS with the Solicitor General of Canada, specifically the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Aboriginal Policing and Aboriginal Corrections, who provide complementary services in other areas of the justice continuum.

The Aboriginal Justice Fund

The Aboriginal Justice Fund will continue to be the primary vehicle for implementing the objectives of the AJS. In the AJS's first mandate, the Fund was comprised of one component, contribution funding for community-based programs, cost-shared with provincial and territorial governments. In the renewed mandate, the Fund will expand to three components that directly support its objectives:

community-based programs

training and development

self-government capacity building

Cost-shared community based programs

The primary activity of the AJS is supporting community-based justice programming, cost-shared on a 50/50 basis with provinces and territories. These programs follow four models: diversion, sentencing alternative, family and civil mediation and programs that strengthen closer links between community justice workers and the courts. In 2001-02, the AJS committed approximately $6.4 million to support 90 programs across the country that provide services to about 280 communities.

Training and Development component

This component is intended to enhance existing programs and to make a strategic federal investment in building capacity of stakeholders involved in Aboriginal justice. The AJLN, in addition to its other work will be responsible for managing this component. The AJLN remains a vital conduit between four groups of stakeholders: Aboriginal community representatives, community justice workers, justice professionals, and all levels of government. The AJLN works on increasing the knowledge of various stakeholders and increasing public awareness of Aboriginal justice issues.

Self-government capacity building

A small self-government capacity building component has been added to the Aboriginal Justice Fund which will focus on projects and resource materials to support local administration and enforcement of Aboriginal laws.

For further information

Justice Canada is working with provincial, territorial and other partners to establish the criteria for any new funds under this strategy. For further information on the Aboriginal Justice Strategy, those interested may call our communications office at (613) 941-7335.