The BC First Nations Justice Strategy was created to address an unjust system that has been a foreign, pervasive and punishing force in Indigenous peoples lives since first contact. Immediate reforms are needed to change the current trajectory.
Track 1 of the BC First Nations Justice Strategy focuses on taking immediate action to reform the current justice system with the Province of BC, and the justice system at large. Importantly, Track 1 aims to reduce the number of First Nations people who become involved with the criminal justice system and improve the experience of those who do.
Early priorities for justice system reform include:
- Culturally-safe justice services – Increase cultural safety training, and Indigenous representation in positions of authority
- Reduce youth incarceration – Prevention, diversion, and access to justice
- Safety for women and girls – Increase public safety and access to justice for women and girls
- Systematic Gladue implementation – Standardization of and increased access to, Gladue reports across the system
- Independent Oversight – Implement third-party oversight regarding Indigenous people and the justice system
The Gladue Principles: A Guide to the Jurisprudence
The BC First Nations Justice Council is pleased to announce the launch of its highly anticipated new book, The Gladue Principles: A Guide to the Jurisprudence, by Professor Benjamin Ralston.
The development of this book was commissioned by the BCFNJC with the goal of spurring greater action to implement Gladue principles across the country. Our hope is that this guide will serve as an important cornerstone in supporting this essential work. The book is provided free of charge below via a PDF download along with four user guides, depending on area of use.
The Gladue Principles: A Guide to the Jurisprudence (full book)
Gladue Principles Executive Summary for Judges
Gladue Principles User Guide for Crown Counsel