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By rdnewsNOW Staff

Empowering communities

Province creates $1.2 million one-time grant for community initiatives to increase access to justice

Feb 1, 2024 | 2:49 PM

The Government of Alberta will be investing a new one-time grant of $1.2 million to support community-based initiatives aimed at increasing access to justice.

Provincial officials say resolving legal issues outside the traditional court system can be less stressful on the parties involved, less expensive, and faster than going to court. They add that a growing number of Albertans have shown a preference for resolving issues within their communities rather than through the courts.

They say the Alberta Community Justice Grant will support innovative initiatives to give Albertans more options for resolving criminal, family and civil justice matters outside the formal courtroom. As a result, the Alberta government believes it will increase access to justice within a community setting that is proactive, culturally sensitive, trauma-informed, and tailored to the specific needs of vulnerable Albertans.

“Community justice programs are a proven and innovative alternative to the formal court system. This grant will help community organizations explore and create innovative programming to provide even more options for Albertans accessing the justice system and help reduce pressure on the courts,” said Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General.

Officials state community justice seeks to engage community members in decision-making and encourages collaborative problem-solving to address the root causes of conflict through mediation, peacemaking, and other community-based processes that could help resolve conflict outside a courtroom. It also aims to build safer and stronger communities through community involvement, prevention programs, and alternative approaches to justice.

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“The Alberta Community Justice Grant program symbolizes a commitment to support families to experience justice, build resilience and improve outcomes. Communities working with Alberta’s Reforming the Family Justice System initiative are exploring transformational cross-sector innovations to reduce reliance on adversarial legal processes while empowering access to supports and skills needed for their social, relationship, parenting, financial and health issues. In this reimagined system, families will thrive,” said Diana Lowe, justice system consultant, Re-imagining Justice.

Eligible community-based organizations and interest groups can apply for a one-time grant between $5,000 to $25,000 to support current community justice programs or create innovative alternatives to the formal court system. Applications must be based in Alberta and must be either a registered not-for-profit organization or registered charity in good standing, a First Nation, Métis Nation of Alberta, or Metis Settlement, municipality, or a community group with a designated fiscal agent. Individuals, academic institutions, for-profit organizations, Crown corporations, police services, and publicly funded institutions are not eligible. Applications will be accepted from until February 29.

The one-time grant would support community justice initiatives including needs assessments, training resources, technological support, and research efforts to increase accessibility to the programs.