Thank you.
Community Justice Programming.
The department is proposing to reduce available funding for Community Justice activities by $350,000 and not staff a position that was supposed to support these Community Justice committees, for an additional saving of $83,000.
Again, the committee was disappointed that the department seems to be concentrating its effort and apparent spending patterns on supporting the criminal justice system in those communities with stand-alone court facilities, to the detriment of our smaller communities. One of the stated goals of the department is to increase the capacity and role of communities to address justice issues. Cutting available resources and support services to the Community Justice activity runs counter to such a goal.
The department points out that a portion of this reduction is because historically all of the allocation has not been spent. The committee would point out
that this could mean communities need more support from the department in developing programming and effective Community Justice committees. A committee recommendation to reinstate this funding was rejected by the department. The Standing Committee on Social Programs cannot support the erosion of programs at the community level and the loss of opportunity for these communities to access funding to grow Community Justice programs and activities, and the roles for local Community Justice committees.
Recommendation
The Standing Committee on Social Programs recommends that $433,000 be added to the operations budget for Corrections and Community Justice so that funding for special projects, Community Justice committee funding and support positions can be returned to last year’s level.
Recommendation
The Standing Committee on Social Programs recommends that if the department is unwilling to continue funding Community Justice activities at the 2007–2008 levels, the $942,000 of forced growth under court services to hire ten additional court officers be reduced by $433,000 in order to fund Community Justice activities.
At this time I’d like to turn it over to my colleague MLA Bisaro.