The new satellite locations will “support a joint commitment to keep communities safe and increase access to justice for those who need it most,” and will “build on work to transform the youth justice system in Toronto,” the Department of Justice said in a Dec. 12 statement.
The five locations are in addition to a new location at the Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto courthouse and will “deliver early intervention and wraparound supports to help break the cycle of offending.” The expanded centres will also promote community safety and enhance access to justice for Black and racialized youth and families.
The satellite offices will be located in areas including Scarborough, Etobicoke and North York and are expected to process over 2,200 youth cases annually, connecting participants to mental health, education, employment and housing services.
“The new locations build on the success of the youth justice approach developed in the Toronto Northwest Justice Centre,” the department said. “They are part of a joint investment to address escalating gun crime and violence that often involves youth.”
The investment includes the federal government’s overall investment of $13 million over four years to support the four Ontario justice centres in London, Toronto Northwest, Toronto Downtown East and Kenora, as well as the development of a new centre in Barrie. The Toronto Northwest Centre is showing positive results, the department said, with 81 per cent of youth improving their education status following participation.
“Strengthening the youth justice system is a goal of the Ontario Court of Justice, and the Court is grateful for the hard work of the government and all justice partners in developing a model that benefits youth involved in the justice system,” said Chief Justice Sharon Nicklas of the Ontario Court of Justice in the statement.
“By addressing the intersecting risk factors that bring young people into contact with the courts, the Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto Youth Justice Centre and its satellites are developing an innovative, accountable, and principled approach — one that will lay the foundation for future youth justice models across the province. We are grateful for these efforts and look forward to continued collaboration.”
The justice centres project is funded under Ontario’s five-year Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy, one of over 18 multi-ministry initiatives funded. Justice centres receive $2.9 million in provincial funding annually.
The federal government provided $28.6 million over five years in the 2020 fall economic statement to support community justice centre pilot projects in Ontario, British Columbia and Manitoba.
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