Budget submission calls for investments in communities

Canadian Friends Service Committee is an active member of the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice (NAACJ). NAACJ just submitted to a consultation on the government of Canada’s budget. Their recommendations?

1. Provide new resources, re–allocate existing resources, and leverage existing resource opportunities to well–established and evidence–based community–based programs and services in order to continue enhancing long–term public safety in more cost– effective ways.

2. Work in collaboration with provincial, territorial, and voluntary sector partners to provide greater opportunities and resources that will reduce systemic barriers and will facilitate rehabilitation and reintegration.

3. Implement the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action #25–42

4. Expand proven community–based alternatives as a reasonable and safe default to custody.

5. Enhance access to community–based supports and services that meet the specific needs of Black Canadians.

6. Enhance access to community–based supports and services that meet the specific needs of the families and children of people who are incarcerated.

7. Provide consistent, stable, long–term funding for NFPs to provide comprehensive in–reach, case management and after–care services.

8. Leverage existing programs and opportunities; e.g., National Housing Strategy, Employment and Skills training, etc., and support community–based NFPs in order to adequately provide child care, employment, safe housing, prison in–reach and after–care services, and health and mental health supports that include effective mechanisms to address problematic substance use.

Read the full submission (PDF). Find out more about our criminal justice work.