OTTAWA, March 3, 2009 – The Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice & Attorney General of Canada, today announced support for a conference on youth justice services at the community level.
"Our Government continues to invest in programs to help our youth-at-risk to make smarter choices and prevent them from engaging in gang related activities,"
said Minister Nicholson. "It is a privilege to recognize the youth justice services sector and community service providers for their hard work in making communities safer."
Using federal funding of $259,000, the Ontario Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Youth Justice Services Division is has organized the Breaking it Down: Beyond Gangs, Groups and Cliques conference, which focuses on presenting best practices related to working with youth involved, or at risk in getting involved, with gangs.
In addition to investing in preventative measures, the Government of Canada is investing in measures to address the most serious, chronic, and violent youth offenders. The Government continues to respond to youth crime, using fair and appropriate measures to hold young people accountable when they break the law.
Through its Youth Justice Fund, under the Guns, Gangs and Drugs Priority, Justice Canada funds projects that aim to prevent youth in conflict with the law from participating in or continuing participation in gun, gang, and drug activities, and encourage them to make "smart choices" through community-based educational, cultural, sporting and vocational opportunities. The fund also supports initiatives such as the Breaking it Down conference, which bring stakeholders together to share best practices and respond to ongoing and emerging issues in program delivery for youth.
For further information about the Youth Justice Fund and the youth criminal justice system, visit http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/yj-jj/.
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Ref.:
Darren Eke
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
