Nov. 20, 2015
CTV News – Dario Balca
Justice Minister: ‘Complete review’ needed to address high number of aboriginal inmates
Advocacy groups have long highlighted the disproportionate numbers of Indigenous people in prison in Canada. The more alarming part of the statistics is in the number of Indigenous women in prison. According to Canada’s new Justice Minister, Jody Wilson-Raybould nothing less than a full review of the criminal justice system will adequately address the why so many Indigenous people – ten times the average for non-indigenous people – are locked up in Canada. Says Wilson-Raybould: “We’re committed to taking a complete review of the criminal justice system, and as a former prosecutor, I recognize the incredible representation of indigenous people in the system.” http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/justice-minister-complete-review-needed-to-address-high-number-of-aboriginal-inmates-1.2666689
Church Council on Justice and Corrections (CCJC)
A five part infographic to celebrate Restorative Justice Week: Closing Thoughts
The closing graphic from the CCJC presents considerations around the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations, most of which are collecting dust on the shelf even though the recs are quite specific and undoubtedly helpful in the on-going search for reconciliation with Canada’s Indigenous people. http://ccjc.ca/thursday-restorative-justice-week-2015-infographic-series/ Link to the RJ Week menu of infographics: http://ccjc.ca/friday-restorative-justice-week-2015-infographic-series/
Globe and Mail – Remzi Cej
From one refugee to another: What you need to know about Canada
The author is a Rhodes Scholar and now the Chair of the Human Rights Commissioner for Newfoundland and Labrador, once, in 2000, himself a refugee as a teenager from the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. Cej’s advice: “As people help you, you must reach out to others too. As I discovered, not only will you meet other community members, but you will do something Canadians consider a defining characteristic of our identity – helping one another, building a better future.” http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/from-one-refugee-to-another-what-you-need-to-know-about-canada/article27359561/ Related article: Globe and Mail Editorial (Nov. 18, 2015) Canada’s tolerant, liberal society is Islamic State’s worst nightmare http://www.theglobeandmail.com/globe-debate/editorials/canadas-tolerant-liberal-society-is-islamic-states-worst-nightmare/article27353020/ Related article: Globe and Mail Daniel Leblanc and Jane Taber RCMP, CSIS support Trudeau’s plan to resettle 25,000 Syrian refugees http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/rcmp-csis-support-trudeaus-plan-to-resettle-25000-syrian-refugees/article27342588/ Related article: CBC News – Don Pittis Best antidote to terrorism is immigrants’ economic success – Fear of Canada’s refugee plan is misplaced unless newcomers face failure and exclusion http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/syrian-canadian-immigration-paris-attacks-1.3324291 Related article: CTV News – Up to 900 Syrian refugees a day to land in Toronto, Montreal: document http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/up-to-900-syrian-refugees-a-day-to-land-in-toronto-montreal-document-1.2666663 Related article: Human Rights Watch (US) US: Governors Scapegoat Syrian Refugees https://www.hrw.org/news/2015/11/17/us-governors-scapegoat-syrian-refugees
Kitchener-Waterloo Crime Prevention
The Community Guide to End Homelessness in Waterloo Region
Here is a forward looking commentary on crime prevention and a suggestion gaining increasing acceptance among anti-poverty advocates as well: fix housing first. The attractive 24 page booklet (downloadable pdf format) encourages community participation in housing solutions urging people to Learn, Lend and Lead, presenting numerous sources and resources available even as it encourages more. The booklet may be an excellent model for what can be done elsewhere and perhaps at other levels. http://files.ctctcdn.com/8bc1af8a201/a30cc08e-b4a2-4175-b53d-2d4ee05439b4.pdf
Ron Wiebe Award Winner – Jennifer Llewellyn – Professor of Law; Viscount Bennett Professor of Law – Schulich School of Law
Smart Justice Network is delighted to offer congratulations to Professor Jennifer Llewellyn of Dalhousie University for the prestigious Wiebe award for Restorative Justice given by Corrections Canada. Besides all her academic and professional involvement Jennifer is a valued contributor and supporter to Smart Justice Network of Canada. SJNC salutes a Canadian truly making a difference for the sake of justice in Canada! Actual announcement from Correctional Services Canada: 17th Annual Presentation of the National Ron Wiebe Restorative Justice Award: http://www.marketwired.com/press-release/17th-annual-presentation-of-the-national-ron-wiebe-restorative-justice-award-2074566.htm