TORONTO, April 7, 2009 – The Honourable James M. Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada federal funding of $103,140 to the National Anti-Racism Council of Canada.
With this money the organization will undertake research on the feasibility of establishing a Youth Restorative Action Project (YRAP) in Ontario, using the YRAP in Alberta as a model. The YRAP in Edmonton is a focused on addressing problems stemming from hate crimes, as well as crimes connected with child prostitution, mental illness, and substance abuse.
It is expected that the findings of the research will be key to helping establish a Youth Restorative Action Project in Toronto, which would work in the youth court with offenders whose crimes are motivated by hate, racism or other social issues.
"Our Government is committed to making our streets and communities safer,
" said Minister Flaherty. "Through this contribution, we are assisting the National Anti-Racism Council of Canada to adopt best practices relating to youth justice, thereby strengthening the justice system and contributing to the safety and well-being of all Canadians.
"
The National Anti-Racism Council of Canada is a Canadian coalition of community-based organizations and individuals committed to the development and dissemination of anti-racism related information and resources, and to the building and supporting of local, regional, national and international strategies to effectively address racism and related intolerance.
The investment highlighted today falls under the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program, administered by the Department of Justice Canada, which supports activities that respond to the changing conditions affecting Canadian justice policy.
For more information on the Justice Partnership and Innovation Program: http://www.canada.justice.gc.ca/eng/pi/pb-dgp/prog/jpif-fjpi.html
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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
