The Government of Canada will help improve the Ukrainian juvenile justice system
August 5, 2014 – Windsor, Ontario – Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
Today, Lois Brown, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Christian Paradis, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, together with Jeff Watson, Member of Parliament for Essex and Parliamentary Secretary for Transport, held a consultation with the Ukrainian diaspora in Windsor, Ontario.
The participants opened the discussion with a moment of silence to commemorate the sudden passing of Mr. Bill Buska, President of the Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Vladimir.
“Mr. Buska was an important member of the Ukrainian community in Windsor and a mentor for many,” said PS Watson. “He will be missed by his family, his friends, and all that knew him and his legacy will remain strong within them as they move forward during this difficult time.”
Following the round table, PS Brown and PS Watson announced additional funding to a successful initiative that is helping establish a more effective and responsive juvenile justice system in Ukraine. The aim is to facilitate a shift away from incarcerating adolescents for relatively minor crimes, and toward the greater application of Canadian approaches for crime prevention, probation, and rehabilitation within Ukraine’s framework for youth justice.
“Canada remains committed to helping the people of Ukraine, including the establishment of a juvenile justice system that is in line with international standards,” said PS Brown. “By working with Ukrainian legislators, law enforcement agencies, and the court system, Canada’s approaches to crime prevention and rehabilitation will help build an improved youth justice framework in Ukraine.”
In 2014, Ukraine was re-confirmed as a development country of focus for Canada’s international development efforts, as well as being designated a priority country under Canada’s recently released Global Markets Action Plan. Canada is working with the Government of Ukraine to assist with the reforms needed to realize the country's full economic potential and build a sound public institutional and legal environment for closer integration with Europe.
Sandrine Périon
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-6238
sandrine.perion@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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