Alberta supports restorative justice programs with grant call

Dec 02, 2015

The province is supporting programs that try to address the harm done by offenders to victims of crime.

Non-profit organizations, First Nations and community groups are invited to apply for an Alberta Community Restorative Justice Grant. The grant program provides $233,000 in annual funding to non-profit organizations that practice, promote or develop restorative justice initiatives throughout Alberta.

“Victims and the community deserve to have a voice, and restorative justice provides an innovative and meaningful way to ensure they are part of the resolution of conflict.”
Kathleen Ganley, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General

Restorative justice programs hold offenders responsible for their actions and seek to address the causes of crime and the harm done to victims and the community. The programs are an alternative or supplement to any sentence and can be initiated at any time during the criminal justice process.

Organizations eligible for the restorative justice grant program include:

• Incorporated non-profit and volunteer organizations
• Local community groups
• First Nations
• Government of Alberta sanctioned youth justice committees (for work that is not covered by their core funding)

The program is used to help promote victim-offender conferencing, training programs, leadership development, and Indigenous restorative justice programs across the province. In general, offenders who participate in restorative justice programs have committed crimes such as break and enter, theft and mischief.

Information and application forms are available on the Alberta Justice and Solicitor General restorative justice website or through the Crime Prevention and Restorative Justice Unit at 780-415-1819. To call toll-free in Alberta, first dial 310-0000. The deadline for applications is noon on January 15, 2016.