Highlights
In June 2023, a new Indigenous Justice Centre (IJC) opened in Chilliwack. IJCs provide culturally appropriate information, advice, supports and representation for all Indigenous Peoples involved in the justice system for both criminal and child-protection matters. IJCs aim to address the circumstances that may have led to the offences in the first place and ensure that needs, such as housing, mental health and addictions treatment and employment services are addressed. There are already IJCs operating in Prince George, Prince Rupert, Merritt and a virtual IJC. As part of the Safer Communities Action Plan, a further five IJCs opened in Victoria, Vancouver, Surrey, Kelowna and Nanaimo in late 2023 and early 2024. Six more IJCs plan to be opened by the end of fiscal year 2024/2025.
On April 1, 2021, the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) took on delivery of Gladue Services from Legal Aid BC for all Indigenous Peoples in B.C. Since that time, the volume of Gladue report requests has increased to over 500 in 2023/24. A Gladue report is a report prepared for sentencing, bail, appeals, long term offenders hearings, dangerous offenders hearings or parole hearings that provide the court with comprehensive information on the offender, their community, and their family as well as a healing and restorative justice plan as an alternative to prison time. Under BCFNJC’s leadership, the program transitioned to a staff writer model from what was previously a contracted writer model.
How are we working together?
In developing the strategy, BCFNJC consulted with First Nations leadership over numerous meetings and summits. Consultation with First Nations communities continues when needed to execute strategies that operate at the community level. Consultation with communities occurred over the fall of 2023 regarding the Indigenous Women’s Justice Plan, the Indigenous Youth Justice Plan, transition of legal aid services for Indigenous Peoples, and identification of future Indigenous Justice Centre locations. B.C., BCFNJC and the federal government host a tripartite leadership circle, and an annual tripartite ministers’ meeting.
Are there challenges?
The implementation workplan was endorsed in 2021, and both BCFNJC and the Province are advancing work on individual strategies while awaiting funding for full implementation.
Previous years’ progress
2022/2023 progress details
Highlights
The BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC) hosted its annual First Nations Justice Forum in Vancouver from March 6-8, 2023. The forum served as an opportunity to bring together First Nations leaders, Rights holders, Knowledge Keepers, and subject matter experts in British Columbia with an in-depth understanding of Indigenous justice to set priorities for the road ahead in advancing implementation of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.This was the first annual forum since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the first since the provincial endorsement of the First Nations Justice Strategy in February 2020.
Budget 2023/24 included the announcement of funding over the next two years to open an additional 10 Indigenous Justice Centres (IJCs) in the province. Operated by the BCFNJC, IJCs provide culturally appropriate information, advice, support and legal representation on criminal and child protection matters directly to Indigenous people at the community level. They take a holistic approach to client and community wellness by facilitating client connections to supports such as housing, mental health and addictions treatment and employment services. IJCs currently operate in-person in Merritt, Prince George and Prince Rupert, as well as a virtual IJC that clients across the province can access regardless of location. Collectively, the IJCs have helped more than 400 individuals since 2020. The locations for the next five IJCs scheduled to open have been identified as Kelowna, Nanaimo, Surrey, Vancouver and Victoria.
Indicators
- Number of implementation projects underway: Initiated work on 11 of 25 strategies within the BC First Nations Justice Strategy.
How are we working together?
In developing the strategy, BCFNJC consulted with First Nations leadership over numerous meetings and summits. Consultation with First Nations communities continues when needed to implement strategies that operate at the community level. The Province of B.C., BCFNJC and the Government of Canada host a tripartite leadership circle and an annual tripartite ministers meeting.
Are there challenges?
The implementation workplan was endorsed in 2021 and is at risk of not proceeding as planned as both BCFNJC and the Province are advancing work in an ad hoc manner without dedicated provincial funding for implementation.