Another balanced budget
By Leela Sharon Aheer Chestermere-Strathmore MLA
Hello Chestermere-Strathmore. We released another balanced budget this week, and I wanted to share some good news with you. The Minister of Justice has awarded the Alberta Community Restorative Justice Grant to the Synergy Youth and Community Development Society. They have been approved for $30,000 for a one-year term.
Let me share some of the details from the Synergy Website about the grant. Project Rewrite is training on the values-based approach to crime that challenges the notion criminal activity is between the courts and those responsible. The training provides participants with a new approach where the recognition is shifted to a victim-centered process. This first training was aimed at preparing program staff, community leaders, pastors, and volunteers to prepare for cases referred to the program by the Chestermere RCMP. Over 15 people in Chestermere gathered to receive the training this week.
“Restorative Justice was recommended to us at Synergy by our partners at the RCMP. Studies have proven that offenders who take responsibility for their actions in front of their victims are 80 per cent less likely to re-offend within two years of completing the program (Alberta Department of Justice 2016). Also, victims who have the chance to be a part of the process are more likely to feel justice was served and less likely to have long-term effects of the crime on their lives,” says Patty Sproule, Executive Director, Synergy. “Aligning with Synergy’s goals to empower youth and community groups to build strong connections through relationships and education Restorative Justice is a great fit and complementary to how we serve in the community.”
In action, the program will focus on ensuring that the people responsible have the supports and services they need to avoid future criminality and ensures that those harmed have a voice in the process and consequences.
“The program is not an easy out; in many ways, it will require more of both victims and offenders. However, we know from research it is a healthier route toward having both parties involved and having more say as a victim in naming the harm and the offender accepting that actions have consequences even beyond what laws were broken. It is not easier; it is healthier,” says Evan Dewald, Project Rewrite Facilitator, Synergy.
Restorative Practice and Peacemaking circles are rooted in the history of Canada coming out of Indigenous traditions; centered on the value of living in harmony with all things, these practices developed as Indigenous peoples sought ways to listen, understand and create compassion within their communities.
For 30 years, the Canadian Justice System has been implementing Restorative Justice Programs (using restorative practices) as an alternative to the current punitive justice system.
“The goal of Restorative Justice is to Identify harm that has been caused, promote healing, and create resilience for long-term safety and well-being. This reduces the frequency and severity of offending and victimization and allows for a tailored, timely and proportionate response to crime. Training in restorative justice practices will help the community to create spaces where relationships are built, decisions are made, ideas and perspectives are shared, and conflict is resolved,” says Kathy Klassen, Staff Sergeant, Chestermere RCMP.
“As humans, we are often motivated by fairness and justice. As a former pastor of 28 years and community leader, I have often defined justice as ‘to make a right.’ Learning how to have critical conversations is powerful in sharing these strategies. For all ages, the program is accessible and voluntary. I can’t think of a better way to respond than to come alongside the organizations and the RCMP to listen, heal, create resilience and safety within our city.” says Dewald.
Synergy has partnered with the Alberta Government (Ministry of Justice and Solicitor General), the City of Chestermere, and the Evangelical Covenant Church of Canada to bring in facilitator Gayle Desmeules.
Gayle is an instructor for the International Institute for Restorative Practices and the Alberta Restorative Justice Association. Gayle founded True Dialogue Inc., a company that provides customized training, facilitation, mediation, and consulting services. Project Rewrite is about giving everyone involved a chance to rewrite their story – the crime, harm caused, and the experience.
I wish the Synergy Youth and Community Development Society every success and thank you for your dedication and commitment to improving access to restorative justice for Alberta communities.
The Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program comes from the Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas. All of us have a deep appreciation for the commitment and stewardship efforts of our municipalities. I am pleased to share that a $260,000 Watershed Resiliency and Restoration Program grant has been awarded to Wheatland County for their Wheatland Riparian Crossing Project and $180,000 to the Western Irrigation District, Natural Hydrology Restoration Project.
Finally, I am privileged to share the Investments in New Schools and modernized spaces. These are the school projects that will be built in our constituency. A huge shout out to all the school boards, staff, and organizers who worked on this and the municipalities for getting services in, and the work done to get these schools in their capital plans. We have received design funding for Chestermere, Calgary Roman Catholic Separate School Division – a new K-9 school. School Planning Program funding for Strathmore, Golden Hills School Division to replace Westmount School. Pre-Planning Program funding for the Chestermere – Rocky View School Division – new K-9 School. This is great news; along with the Langdon School, we will have four new schools in the next few years. It has been a pleasure serving you, and I will miss working alongside all of you as you see these projects develop.
As always, we love to hear from you.
(Leela Sharon Aheer is the MLA Elect for Chestermere-Strathmore)