More Indigenous people will have access to culturally safe, Indigenous-led legal supports and services with five new Indigenous Justice Centres (IJCs) now operating in Vancouver, Victoria, Nanaimo, Surrey, and Kelowna.
“Making our communities safer means addressing the core issues that bring people into conflict with the law and their neighbours – a lifetime in and out of jail and back again doesn’t make anybody safer,” said Premier David Eby.
“We have to break that cycle. For Indigenous people in B.C., the solutions to break that cycle are most likely to be successful if they’re culturally grounded. I’m very grateful to the First Nations Justice Council for working with us to deliver safer communities and help change lives.”
In B.C., Indigenous Peoples make up approximately 5% of the population, but they account for approximately 30% of those incarcerated provincially.
The opening of IJC's advances 43 transformative lines of action along two tracks to change lives and outcomes for Indigenous people.
IJC's are advancing track 1 work of the strategy, reforming the existing justice system, while providing a foundation for track 2 work of the strategy, the restoration of First Nations legal traditions, systems, and structures.
The IJC's aim to help Indigenous people involved in the justice system address the root causes of their involvement and offer supports to help prevent future interactions with police and the justice system.
There are currently four physical Indigenous Justice Centres operating across the province in Chilliwack, Prince Rupert, Prince George, and Merritt, as well as a virtual IJC that serves the entire province.
The Province says it has committed to increasing the total IJCs in B.C. to 15 by the end of 2024-25.
To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.
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