TORONTO, April 7, 2009 – The Honourable James M. Flaherty, Minister of Finance, on behalf of the Honourable Rob Nicholson, P.C., Q.C., M.P. for Niagara Falls, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, today announced $26,598 in federal funding to the Ontario Justice Education Network.
This funding will enable the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) to provide justice education training sessions to staff and volunteers who work with disadvantaged youth. Such training sessions have the potential to dramatically improve the experience of young people in the justice system.
“Our Government continues to invest in programs that promote a better understanding of how our justice system works, which is especially important for youth who are in contact with the law,” said Minister Flaherty. “I am pleased to offer our support to teachers and front-line staff who are working with youth to make our streets and communities safer.”
The Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting understanding, education, and dialogue in support of a justice system that is inclusive and responsive. OJEN’s programs are delivered across Ontario by approximately 3000 justice sector professionals, including judges, justices of the peace, assistant crown attorneys, defense counsel, duty counsel, bail and probation supervisors, and others. Thousands of high school students and their teachers, youth in community housing, youth in police and court diversion programs, youth attending expelled student schools, and aboriginal youth on and off reserve use OEJN programs.
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.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/pb/prog/jpif.html.
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Ref.:
Darren Eke
Office of the Minister of Justice
613-992-4621
Media Relations
Department of Justice
613-957-4207
