Ottawa, August 24, 2005 – The Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada, Irwin Cotler, today announced this year's winner and runners-up for the sixth annual Minister of Justice National Youth Justice Policing Awards. Police officers from across Canada will be recognized for their innovative work with youth in conflict with the law at a ceremony tonight in Gatineau, Quebec.

“This is an important award,” said Minister Cotler. “Police officers are key players in the effective implementation of youth justice renewal in Canada . The Government of Canada is proud to recognize these police officers who, thanks to their innovative and pro-active approaches, focus as much on youth crime prevention as they do in keeping our communities safe.”

The award is given to officers whose work with young people aligns with the Government of Canada's goals for youth justice renewal. The Youth Criminal Justice Act, which came into force in April 2003, is the centerpiece of a new approach to dealing with youth crime.

The winner, Detective Hugh Wong of the Toronto Police Service, plays an active role in the Peacemaking Circle program in the communities of Regent Park and St. Jamestown. The Peacemaking Circle program is an initiative of Peacebuilders International Inc., a non-profit organization that promotes, despite cultural differences, relationships based upon common values such as respect, sharing, compassion and accountability.

The Circle program provides a community-based alternative to the court system. It helps to keep youths connected to the communities by including a variety of community stakeholders as part of the solution, including the police, schools, social workers and family members.

Circle keepers facilitate the process of respectful conversation. The use of a talking piece, which is an ancient form of communication for spiritual, political and communal life found throughout Aboriginal traditions, guides conversation in the Circle. Participants are encouraged to listen to others, step into their shoes, share their experiences and work towards a common goal.

The Award, as well as a certificate of distinction and three honourable mentions, will be presented at the Gala Awards Night of the annual meeting of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP). Along with the award, Detective Wong will receive a $5,000 cheque to benefit Peacebuilders International Inc. The award is sponsored by the Department of Justice in collaboration with the CACP.

A certificate of distinction was awarded to Constable Dean Childs of the RCMP, Kelowna Detachment. Honourable mentions went to Sergeant Danielle Bouchard of the Sûreté du Québec (district de l'Estrie), Detective Constables Elizabeth Miller and Valerie Spicer of the Vancouver Police Department, and to Sergeant Mike Allard, Inspector Robert Gould, Staff Sergeant Tom Matthews and Lee Fitzpatrick of the Waterloo Regional Police Service.

Among the factors considered for the award are innovation and creativity, use of community-based resources as alternatives to the formal court process, and effective use of police discretion, conferencing, alternatives to custody and rehabilitation and reintegration of youth in conflict with the law.

For more information on the award, the winners and nominees, go to:

http://www.canada.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/yj/awards/awards.html

For more information on youth justice renewal in Canada , go to: http://www.canada.justice.gc.ca/en/ps/yj/

- 30 -

Ref.:

Denise Rudnicki
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of Justice
(613) 992-4621

Media Relations Office
Department of Justice Canada
(613) 957-4207