MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - March 20, 2015) - Today, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Peter MacKay announced more than $58,000 in funding to Éducaloi in Montréal to support education and training on the youth criminal justice system for both youth workers and for youth who have been in conflict with the law. Éducaloi is a Public Legal Education and Information organization in Montréal providing legal information in plain language across Quebec.
The Éducaloi projects being funded by the Government of Canada will provide training for youth workers and education workshops for youth to help increase their understanding of the youth criminal justice system.
These projects are supported by the Youth Justice Initiative, which promotes a fair and effective youth justice system, responds to emerging youth justice issues, and enables greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system.
Quick Facts
The funding is being provided for the following:
Training for non-lawyers on criminal infractions and the justice system that applies to adolescents
The project provides training to youth workers about criminal offences generally committed by youth such as theft, breaking and entering, mischief and drug offences, as well as applicable proceedings such as extrajudicial measures, sanctions, conferences, youth court processes and sentencing.
The training for youth workers will include three conferences in Montréal as well as two webinars for youth workers outside the city and across the province. A tool kit on the youth criminal justice system will also be produced and distributed as part of the training activities.
The funding amount of $19,000 for this project will be disbursed as follows:
- $14,775 in 2014-15
- $5,125 in 2015-16
Workshops on the law for young offenders
This project offers education workshops to young offenders to help them gain a better overall understanding of the justice system, dispel myths and prejudices youth may have about the law and give them a more positive experience with the law and with Canada's system of justice. Ten workshops specially designed for youth will be delivered to youth who have been in conflict with the law. When the workshops have been completed, the program will be incorporated into regular justice system workshops given to youth throughout the province.
The funding amount of $39,125 for this project will be disbursed as follows:
- $6,600 in 2014-15
- $32,525 in 2015-16
Funding for these projects is provided by the Youth Justice Fund, which supports a broad range of projects with youth involved in the justice system.
Quotes
"Educating Canadian youth who have been in conflict with the law about our criminal justice system and encouraging them to become better citizens and more positive members of their communities are key aspects to supporting these youth in their rehabilitation and making our streets and communities safe. Our Government is proud to work with partners such as Éducaloi to improve the youth justice system and provide better access to justice through education and training to both youth and youth workers."
Peter MacKay
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
"At Éducaloi, we believe that knowledge is power! That is why we have been making substantial contributions to legal education and information for young Quebecers for the last 15 years. We are pleased to add these new activities for youth 16 years and up in special schools and for youth workers to the services we already offer. In this way, young people will be better equipped to make informed choices."
Nathalie Roy
Executive Director, Éducaloi
Related Products
- Backgrounder: Youth Justice Fund
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Backgrounder
Youth Justice Fund
The Youth Justice Fund was established in the 1990s as part of the Youth Justice Renewal Initiative, and provides grants and contributions funding for projects across Canada. The Youth Justice Fund has a budget of approximately $4.5 million each year.
The Youth Justice Fund has three components:
- The Main Fund supports a broad range of projects relating to youth involved in the justice system. Current funding priorities include youth with mental health issues and/or cognitive impairments. The Main Fund can also provide support to respond to emerging youth justice issues.
- The Drug Treatment component supports drug treatment interventions for youth involved in the justice system who are dealing with drug abuse.
- The Guns, Gangs and Drugs component responds to youth involved in the justice system who are involved in, or vulnerable to, gun, gang and drug-related activities.
The Youth Justice Initiative is a multi-faceted approach that includes a legislative framework (the Youth Criminal Justice Act) and programming resources that:
- Encourage a more fair and effective youth justice system;
- Respond to emerging youth justice issues; and
- Enable greater citizen/community participation in the youth justice system by encouraging partnerships and innovations, and developing and sharing information and knowledge about youth justice.
Community organizations, Aboriginal organizations, and individuals are eligible for funding to help develop community-based programming options and partnerships that respond more effectively to youth in conflict with the law. Funding support is also used to advance changes in provincial/territorial policies and programs that are consistent with the intent of federal policy objectives.
The Youth Justice Fund supports the development, implementation, and evaluation of pilot projects that provide programming and services for youth in conflict with the law. It supports professional development activities, such as training and conferences, for justice professionals and youth service providers. Additionally, it funds research on the youth justice system and related issues.
Projects must target youth who are between the ages of 12 and 17 and currently in conflict with the law, or justice professionals and/or service providers who work with these youth.
To learn more about the Youth Justice Fund, please visit www.canada.justice.gc.ca/youth.
Contact Information:
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
Media Relations Office
Department of Justice
613-957-4207