Health News For Central West

The Government of Canada and Government of Ontario are announcing five new youth justice centre satellite locations in Toronto that will help improve access to legal and community supports for at-risk youth across the city. The new youth justice centre satellite locations will support a joint commitment to keep communities safe and increase access to justice for those who need it most.

In collaboration with the Ontario Court of Justice, the new locations will build on work to transform the youth justice system in Toronto. The five satellite locations are in addition to a new location at the Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto courthouse and will deliver early intervention and wraparound supports to help break the cycle of offending. In partnership with the community, the expanded centres will promote community safety, reduce reoffending and enhance access to justice for Black and racialized young persons and families.

The new locations build on the success of the youth justice approach developed in the Toronto Northwest Justice Centre. They are part of a joint investment to address escalating gun crime and violence that often involves youth. This includes the federal government’s overall investment of $13 million over four years in support of Ontario’s four justice centres, including London, Toronto Northwest, Toronto Downtown East, Kenora and the development of a fifth centre in Barrie.

The justice centres project is one of over 18 multi-ministry initiatives funded under Ontario’s five-year Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy. Justice centres receive $2.9 million in provincial funding per year.

Quick Facts

Quotes

"Through this investment, we are providing funding to expand supports for youth involved in the justice system through five new satellite locations. This builds on the success of the Toronto Northwest Centre’s youth justice program, which has already changed youth’s lives in the area for the better. Simply put, we are improving outcomes for youth and families through equitable access to justice and increasing community safety for Torontonians"

- The Honourable Sean Fraser
P.C., K.C., Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

"Justice centres are transforming how justice is delivered across Ontario. With the expansion of five new satellite locations across Toronto, we are strengthening measures to protect Ontario by holding offenders accountable, supporting victims and survivors of crime and keeping communities safe. In collaboration with our partners, our work to expand the justice centre model to more communities across the province is helping break the cycle of offending and connecting more at-risk young adults with critical supports they need."

- The Honourable Doug Downey
Attorney General of Ontario

"Strengthening the youth justice system is a goal of the Ontario Court of Justice, and the Court is grateful for the hard work of the government and all justice partners in developing a model that benefits youth involved in the justice system. By addressing the intersecting risk factors that bring young people into contact with the courts, the Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto Youth Justice Centre and its satellites are developing an innovative, accountable and principled approach – one that will lay the foundation for future youth justice models across the province. We are grateful for these efforts and look forward to continued collaboration."

- The Honourable Sharon Nicklas
Chief Justice, Ontario Court of Justice

"When all partners and levels of government come together to provide better access to resources and facilities aimed at improving outcomes for at-risk youth, communities become safer. I welcome this investment to promote community safety and wellbeing for all."

- Myron Demkiw
Chief, Toronto Police Service

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