Changes to Alberta’s justice system will result in unsafe communities: Critics

EDMONTON- Changes to the way the province will deal with people who commit small crimes have critics speaking out.

The province will no longer be prosecuting those who commit small crimes.

“We’re talking shoplifting, we’re talking things like vandalism, typically young people, typically as their first offence,” explained Justice Minister Jonathan Denis.

Instead, the province will be using rehabilitation programs such as youth justice committees to deal with those offenders.

“We’re typically dealing with first (and) second time offenders, where you can actually have a hope of rehabilitating these people,” Denis explained.

The changes were announced in last week’s provincial budget. Denis says it’s in an effort to focus more attention on prosecuting high risk offenders.

“If you want to put someone behind bars, I want to put the high offender behind bars. I want to put the murderer behind bars, the sexual assault purveyor behind bars.”

As a result, the province will be closing six court rooms, and critics aren’t happy.

Wildrose Justice Critic Shane Saskiw says deterrence is a huge factor in any justice system and without repercussions, offenders- even low-risk offenders- may not be deterred from committing crimes.

“Youth have to learn a lesson when they commit crimes and there has to be serious consequences,” Saskiw explained. “For our justice system to work we have to have punishment attached to crimes. If they’re not going to prosecute on youth, they’re just going to continue to reoffend and recommit those crimes.”

Denis maintains the opposite is true, and says there will still be consequences for those offenders.

“If somebody is a multiple offender, even if they are a young offender, what can happen is the prosecutor would still have the choice of pursuing a charge,” he explained. “We also want to make clear that there is an escalating system of penalties. You may go through community service or a youth justice service the first time, but that’s not going to go on forever. (If) you keep on offending you’re going to keep getting further and further in the criminal justice system.”

The province also announced the Elpida youth home in Edmonton, which was run by Catholic Social Services, will no longer be funded. It is schedule to close March 31, after the province told its operators the annual $600,000 contract would not be renewed this year.

The province says electronic monitoring will also be phased out, which will save the government approximately $1 million.

The change is not being welcomed by NDP Justice Critic Rachel Notley, as she worries it will result in unsafe communities.

“Why they would make such miniscule little cuts on items that have a very significant impact on peoples’ lives… I have no idea,” she said.
With files from Vassy Kapelos. 

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