Thank you to everyone who joined us on November 18, 2025, for our comprehensive session on Gladue Services offered by the BC First Nations Justice Council (BCFNJC).
Chaired by Amandeep K. Sehmbi (Director of Gladue Services Department) and opened by Dr. Judith Sayers, OC (Cloy-e-iis) (Council Director), this session provided deep insights into the significance of Gladue Products in the justice system, the critical distinctions between Gladue Letters and Reports, and the role of Restorative Justice.
For those who missed the live session or wish to revisit the materials, we have compiled the presentation slides, instructional video, and a detailed Q&A below.
Event Resources
Presentation Slides
Review the comprehensive slide deck from the webinar here:
Instructional Video: GIMS Registration & Requests
Learn how to register for a Gladue Information Management System (GIMS) account and the correct process for requesting a Gladue report.
Full Webinar Recording
The full recording of the session will be made available on this page at a later date. Please check back soon.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
This session is eligible for CPD credits. To claim your credits:
- Log in to the Law Society of BC CPD Portal.
- Search for the course title: “Gladue Services in BC 2025”.
- Claim your credits for participation.
Question & Answer Period
Below is a summary of the questions asked during the session.
General Inquiries & Policy
Q: Can defense counsel make a request even if not requested by court?
A: Yes, defence counsel can request a Gladue Report even if the court has not specifically requested one. Defence is permitted to make the request proactively to ensure the client’s Indigenous background and related Gladue factors are properly considered in sentencing.
As always, earlier requests are encouraged so we have adequate time to complete a high-quality report.
Q: What is the purpose of court-ordered Gladue reports if a report can be ordered through the BCFNJC without a court order?
A: The difference is not the purpose, but the process and authority behind the request: if a judge has ordered a report they cannot proceed with sentencing without it.
Q: Can a Gladue Report be used when applying for a Record Suspension/Pardon?
A: The Parole Board of Canada does not request or rely on Gladue Reports/Principles when assessing eligibility for a Record Suspension.
Applicants may instead include supporting personal history or contextual information in their application.
Source: https://www.canada.ca/en/parole-board/corporate/publications-and-forms/decision-making-policy-manual-for-board-members/chapter-12.html
Mental Health & Complex Cases
Q: Do you have any plans for an expansion of Gladue services for forensic mental health matters before the BC Review Board (e.g., NCRMD and fitness hearings)?
A: Our current mandate is focused on criminal court proceedings, any expansion would require additional resourcing and a change in scope. We’ve wanted to expand to other areas including bail reports, but again this would require additional resourcing and quick turnarounds. We do write for the BC Review Board, but not in recent time have we written specific to NCRMD or fitness hearings.
Q: Do you have any advice for criteria to consider when applying Gladue factors in the absence of a Gladue report, specifically for the Review Board where the individual is disconnected from their community?
A: Where a Gladue report is not available, Gladue factors can still be provided using the best information that can reasonably be gathered from the individual. Disconnection from collaterals and community itself is often a product of Gladue-relevant factors. Systemic barriers/health and mental health history/even without family or community contact information can be drawn from publicly available histories of the Nation or region the individual is connected to (residential school history etc.) Institutional experiences (MCFD involvement) can all be Gladue factors presented.
We encourage reviewing the non-exhaustive list of Gladue factors in the PowerPoint slides. Interview your client, whichever factors are relevant to your client and there are specific examples in their life, make submissions about them.
Process, Security & Writers
Q: Why did you switch to a two-step verification process for ordering a report? Have you had security concerns?
A: Gladue Reports contain highly sensitive personal and cultural information. Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is implemented to protect client information and comply with privacy standards, as well as to eliminate requests made in error.
Q: Is there an option to choose which Gladue Writer? Indigenous Court Elders would prefer to work with one writer so everything remains consistent.
A: Currently, we can take note of a preferred Gladue Writer, and we will prioritize that preference whenever timelines, caseload, and availability allow to support consistency for Indigenous Court Elders. We cannot guarantee that the same writer will be available to be assigned to every file, as this depends on capacity, deadlines, regional coverage, expertise, conflicts of interest, and distribution of work.
Q: A Gladue report is historic. If my client got one a few years ago is there any benefit for a new one?
A: Yes – we can add updates and new relevant information to a report, as well as steps the client has taken in their healing journey if applicable.
GIMS & Access for Crown
Q: Is the GIMS Account also for Crown to register?
A: Not currently. However, Gladue Services is in ongoing discussions with BC Prosecution Services about the best way for them to request Reports and Letters.
Q: How does Crown currently submit a request if not through GIMS?
A: Crown currently works with BCFNJC via emails to [email protected], containing password protected PDF files.
Kinship & Practicums
Q: Can the Kinship Mentors help people seeking to establish their Indigeneity if they are not going to necessarily access BCFNJC services?
A: Not at this time. Kinship mentor services are just internal to BCFNJC right now.
Q: Do you have opportunities for student practicum placement? Also, if practicums are provided, would placement be at the intake level or can it also be at the kinship mentor level?
A: Please visit our careers page for current opportunities and information: https://bcfnjc.com/careers
Miscellaneous & Methodology
Q: How is Indigeneity defined? (Suggestion to remove “claimed heritage” as it is pejorative).
A: The Individuals Gladue Services currently writes Reports and Letters for are verified based on the following criteria. They must:
- 1. Self-identify as Indigenous (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit)
- 2. Verify Indigenous Identity (case-by-case basis), using documents such as:
- Indian Status cards, Métis Status cards, or Inuit Beneficiary/Enrollment Cards (for the client, their parents/grandparents/great grandparents etc.)
- Family Tree or Genealogical information
- Documentation of lineage
- Métis Scrip information or Treaty Paylists
- Band Member Enrolment lists
- Oral history
- Collateral interviews (e.g. Family members)
- 3. Provide Gladue Factor Evidence: Gladue Services will examine how colonialism has impacted the individual’s life. Gladue Factor information is independently verified, neutral and backed up by documented evidence and collateral information.
Q:How are you assisting counsel to make effective Gladue submissions in the absence of a report?
A: In addition to writing Gladue Reports and Letters, GSD supports the justice sector by providing educational sessions to all branches of the justice system and partner agencies and university students. Through education, we seek strengthen understanding of how to appropriately apply Gladue principles even when a report or Gladue letter is not requested. It is also up to counsel to seek to educate themselves on the application of Gladue Principles throughout the justice system.
We encourage viewing the July 2024 Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Gladue in Practice for more tips here: https://www.cle.bc.ca/gladue-in-practice-2024/
Q: Are you making conditions aligned with the pick lists?
A: No we are unable to do so because our Healing Plans are aimed at providing healing resources that address the underlying issues in the individual’s life and their specific Gladue Factors. Defence counsel can advise the sentencing judge of the Healing Plan options and describe which resources they believe may be aligned with pick lists options.
Q: How does the Gladue letter fit into the legal aid tariff for billing purposes?
A: The tariffs (Criminal, Disbursements, etc.) are publicly available on the Legal Aid BC site. The “Gladue fee” is explicitly listed, with rules for when it can be billed: https://legalaid.bc.ca/lawyers/tariff-guide
The Gladue Tariff is for Gladue Submissions made in court. BCFNJC Gladue Letters and Reports remain free of cost.
If you have any further questions, please contact Talia Magder at Legal Aid.
Q: It appears that we do not need a court order to make a request? Is that correct?
A: Yes. A court order is not required to request a Gladue Report or Letter.
Defence counsel or Crown may make a request directly. Defence is fully permitted to request a Gladue Report proactively, even if the court has not yet ordered one. Early requests are encouraged so we have sufficient time to complete the report before sentencing.
Gladue Submissions are the right of every Indigenous person, there is no need to wait.
Contact Us
For any questions regarding the information shared on this page, or if you have a question arising from the webinar that was not answered above, please contact the Gladue Team at [email protected].