Across the country, governments, police, lawyers, judges and community groups are working in close partnership with communities and families to prevent youth involvement in the criminal justice system and to ensure a fair and effective youth justice system.

“We at Friends in Toronto Community Services have faith in the transformative power of restorative justice. The Circle of Change Restorative Justice program reflects our commitment to fostering healing, understanding and positive change within our community. We believe that together we can create a more just and compassionate society where healing is at the forefront of our agenda.”

Antonius Clarke, Executive Director and Project Manager
Friends in Toronto Community Services

“Innovative projects that help Black and other racialized youth leave the youth criminal justice system are critical to young people reintegrating into society and making meaningful contributions to their communities. That is why our government is supporting the work done by the Friends in Toronto Community Services in delivering services for youth who have been in conflict with the law.”

The Honourable Arif Virani, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada

• Restorative justice supports the people harmed, the offender as well as the communities affected by a crime to collaboratively find solutions and repair relationships.

• The Youth Justice Fund is designed to encourage a more effective youth justice system, respond to emerging youth justice issues and enable greater citizen and community participation in the youth justice system.

• The overrepresentation of Indigenous people, Black, and racialized individuals in federal correctional institutions is a top concern for the Government of Canada. In 2015-16, there were 199,895 accused (adults and youth) with a completed court case. Black people accounted for 6% of all accused--a proportion that is double their representation in the Canadian population—even though Black people represented only 3% of the Canadian population at the time. (Justice Canada, 2023)

• In 2020-21, Indigenous people represented 32 per cent of those in federal prisons in Canada, but only accounted for 5 per cent of the general population. (Sources: Office of the Correctional Investigator, Statistics Canada’s Population and Demography Statistics).

• April 1, 2023, marked the 20th anniversary of the Youth Criminal Justice Act coming into force and establishing the framework for youth between the ages of 12 and 17 who have committed, or are alleged to have committed, a criminal offence. The youth criminal justice system is intended to protect the public by holding young persons accountable for their criminal behaviour, while promoting their rehabilitation and reintegration.

• Canada’s Black Justice Strategy is the federal government’s response to address anti-Black racism and systemic discrimination that has led to the overrepresentation of Black people in the criminal justice system, including as victims of crime. The Strategy will be informed by the diverse experiences of Black communities, including groups such as youth, women, newcomers, and others, and will aim to help ensure Black people have access to equal treatment and equal protection before and under the law in Canada.

Associated links

• Friends in Toronto Community Services
• Restorative Justice
• Youth Justice Fund
• The Youth Justice System
• Canada’s Black Justice Strategy
• Indigenous Justice Strategy

For more information, media may contact:

Chantalle Aubertin
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
613-992-6568
Chantalle.Aubertin@justice.gc.ca

Media Relations
Department of Justice Canada
613-957-4207
media@justice.gc.ca

Antonius Clarke
Executive Director and Project Manager
Friends in Toronto Community Services
647-915-3106
antoniusclarke@fitcs.org

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