Western Standard - January 30, 2024


Enhancing the involvement of communities in order to increase access to justice


Episode Stats

Length

2 minutes

Words per Minute

132.35832

Word Count

362

Sentence Count

16


Summary

The Alberta Community Justice Grant is an important initiative that embodies our commitment to fostering a justice system that is not only fair and accessible, but also deeply rooted in the values and culture of the diverse communities here in Alberta. Through the grant, we will be providing funds for community-based organizations to increase their capacity, create new tools and processes, and conduct training and research they need to make community justice an even more attractive and accessible option to Albertans.


Transcript

00:00:00.000 I'm very pleased to be here today to announce an important initiative that embodies our commitment
00:00:05.240 to fostering a justice system that is not only fair and accessible, but also deeply rooted
00:00:11.700 in the values and culture of the diverse communities here in Alberta. Over the course
00:00:17.920 of the last several months, we have engaged with Albertans across the province, and one thing is
00:00:23.440 clear. Many Albertans are interested in resolving legal matters within their communities rather
00:00:29.340 than visiting a courtroom. And so, today I am proud to announce that we are investing
00:00:35.300 $1.2 million to help empower organizations to explore and develop innovative community
00:00:42.580 justice initiatives. Through the Alberta Community Justice Grant, we will be providing funds for
00:00:49.300 community-based organizations to increase their capacity, create new tools and processes, and
00:00:55.960 conduct training and research they need to make community justice an even more attractive
00:01:01.040 and accessible option to Albertans. I believe that Albertans deserve a fair and accessible
00:01:06.880 justice system. And community justice programs have proven to be an innovative and very popular
00:01:13.420 alternative to the formal court system, which some Albertans can find impersonal and intimidating.
00:01:20.660 The Alberta Community Justice Grant is more than just financial support. It is an investment
00:01:25.740 in the capacity and effectiveness of community-based organizations. Understanding the landscape of
00:01:33.260 community justice is vital. The Alberta Community Justice Grant provides a unique opportunity for
00:01:39.560 organizations to build or enhance their community justice initiatives, ensuring that our justice system
00:01:46.260 is not only fair but also accessible to Albertans from corner to corner. Eligible products under the
00:01:54.500 community justice grant could include things like partnerships with community stakeholders, the development of
00:02:01.140 essential tools, training resources, and research efforts, and training programs or technical support.
00:02:07.540 Community-based organizations can apply for one-time funding ranging between $5,000 to a maximum of $25,000.
00:02:18.100 By working together, we can build a justice system that truly reflects the values of Albertans, ensuring
00:02:24.580 fairness and accessibility to justice for all. By engaging community members in the decision-making process to address the root causes of crime,
00:02:33.540 this new grant aims to build safer and stronger communities through community involvement prevention programs and alternative approaches to justice.