The province’s new Restorative Justice Advisory Council will include two residents from Thompson.

Last week, the province unveiled a new five-year strategy that expands the province’s delivery of restorative justice. The new council will give the province advice on how to implement the new strategy, focusing on programs and policies.

Thompson residents Julyda Lagimodiere and Roy Smith are 2 of the 9 people that will be on the council. Lagimodiere is the Minister of the Metis Justice Institute, and will be representing MMF while Smith joins as a representative of MKO.        

The announcement also included a commitment to create 5 restorative justice hubs throughout the province.

Mayor Dennis Fenske says the City has been lobbying for a restorative justice facility in Thompson since 2012, and speculates one of the new hubs would be located in Thompson given the City’s geographical location and demographics.

The province says the communities have not been finalized yet.

The strategy also includes funding new and expanded mental health and drug courts, establishing a restitution recovery program to help victims collect court ordered payments, improving training and building awareness, and identifying supports for chronic, low-risk offenders.