March 2, 2020
Manitoba Announces Support for Community Safety Strategy, Restorative Justice Initiative in Thompson
THOMPSON—The Manitoba government is providing new support for a community-led safety strategy and strengthening partnerships to increase the use of restorative justice in northern Manitoba, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced today.
“Building a safer, stronger and more resilient community must be done in partnership with the people who live and work there,” said Cullen. “We are pleased to invest in the development of a community safety strategy, led by the City of Thompson, with input from community members, Indigenous partners and stakeholders. By working together, we can make a real difference in the safety and wellness of citizens while advancing reconciliation in Manitoba.”
The province is providing a $35,000 grant for the City of Thompson to work with a consultant and develop a community safety and well-being strategy. The goal is to create a tool that identifies risks and social factors that contribute to crime and victimization, identify initiatives to address these factors and set measurable outcomes.
“The team we’ve assembled has already been working to improve public safety and well-being in Thompson for many years, and all have a detailed understanding of Thompson’s realities, challenges and opportunities,” said Mayor Colleen Smook, City of Thompson. “We’re excited to bring these perspectives together under a broader strategy for the benefit of Thompson and the region as a whole.”
To help improve timely access to justice in the north, the Manitoba government has launched Restorative Justice North in partnership with the Manitoba Metis Federation (MMF) and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak (MKO). This pilot project brings restorative justice partners together to assess and divert matters into appropriate programs and resolve them in a more timely way.
The minister noted the goal of Restorative Justice North is to increase the use of diversion options in Thompson. Accordingly, MKO will also develop a complementary restorative justice program for Thompson, based on their existing expertise in restorative justice.
“MKO is hopeful that this announcement and initial investments are the beginning of utilizing culturally appropriate and Indigenous ways of being to address justice issues in the north,” said Grand Chief Garrison Settee, MKO. “Criminal offences stem from systemic causes that require more in-depth and holistic approaches that focuses on the victim, offender and the community at large. Without holistic approaches to address justice, the cycle continues without any benefit to the community. Restorative justice is a step forward in addressing the impacts of colonialism. The approach must be Indigenous led with First Nations, Inuit and Métis at the table and inputting into the design, having decision making authority and implementing from a culturally appropriate lens.”
The Manitoba government is investing more than $2.8 million in restorative justice programs this year, an increase of $400,000 over the previous fiscal year. This increase includes additional investments of $50,000 with both MMF and MKO.
The minister noted he looks forward to ongoing collaboration with the City of Thompson, MKO, MMF and the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) on these important issues.
“On behalf of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, I congratulate all parties involved in the restorative justice and safety pilot project for the City of Thompson,” said Grand Chief Arlen Dumas, AMC. “The AMC supports any Manitoba Justice initiative intended to reduce the incarceration rates of our citizens in the Thompson area and elsewhere. It is my hope that restorative justice grounded in First Nations principles will also help to reduce recidivism, support offenders, and offer alternatives, particularly for the First Nations youth in the Thompson area.”
Every year, more than 5,000 matters are diverted out of the criminal justice system to be resolved through restorative justice and diversion programs. Restorative justice and diversion programs have proved beneficial for addressing systemic roots causes that lead to criminal activity and create an opportunity for the offender to make amends to the victim and the community, and help reduce the likelihood of future contact with the legal system. Individuals who participate before charges are laid can avoid the stigma of a criminal charge.
The minister noted funding allocated for the City of Thompson’s strategy builds on $300,000 previously allocated by the province to support community safety initiatives. This commitment was set out in the May 2019 Policing and Public Safety Strategy. For more information, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/justice/pubs/police_publicsafety_strategy.pdf.
For more information on Manitoba’s Criminal Justice Modernization Strategy, visit:
www.gov.mb.ca/justice/cjsm/index.html.
The Manitoba government reports on the use of restorative justice quarterly at:
www.gov.mb.ca/justice/cjsm/diversion.html.
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