This release was issued under a previous government.
Jonathan Denis, Minister of Alberta Justice and Solicitor General and Dr. Allen Benson, Chief Executive Officer with Native Counselling Services of Alberta
Native Counselling Services, instead of a government department, will prepare Gladue Reports that may be considered by the courts when sentencing an offender of Aboriginal background. The goal is to put the responsibility for the reports in the hands of individuals with closer ties to Aboriginal culture.
Gladue Reports were created as a result of a Supreme Court of Canada decision. Courts can request them when considering sentencing of an offender of Aboriginal background.
"This funding reflects the cultural sensitivities surrounding Aboriginal individuals in our legal system. Gladue reports help to create better awareness and understanding of the cultural, social and personal factors that lead to criminal acts while still taking into account individual responsibility.”
Reports can be provided orally in a process called “speaking to the sentence” or in a detailed written report. Native Counselling Services will use $200,000 in funding from the Alberta government for one year to prepare written reports. An evaluation at the end of the year will help determine how the reports are prepared in the future.
“I am pleased the Province of Alberta has committed resources to ensure the Supreme Court’s decision in both Gladue and Ipeelee is being implemented through this Gladue writers grant. Native Counselling Services of Alberta and contract writers will work hard to ensure our provincial courts receive quality and informed reports to assist them in the implementation of these rulings.”
“This is a progressive step. It asks the Aboriginal community to provide important context to ensure that court sentencing allows offenders an opportunity to get their lives back on track.”
Under the Building Alberta Plan, our government is investing in families and communities, living within our means, and opening new markets for Alberta's resources to ensure we're able to fund the services Albertans told us matter most to them. We will continue to deliver the responsible change Albertans voted for.