CHILLIWACK, B.C. — The over-representation of Indigenous people in British Columbia's jails is a destructive cycle that must be broken, said Premier David Eby as he officially opened a First Nations justice centre in the Fraser Valley.
Indigenous people comprise about five per cent of B.C.'s population, but account for about 30 per cent of people in provincial jails, Eby said Monday.
The government is working with the Indigenous-led B.C. First Nations Justice Council to move ahead with measures launched three years ago, that reflect justice system reforms envisioned by Indigenous people, Eby said. Eby also announced $10 million to support community-based First Nations justice programs that aim to address circumstances that may have led to offences and ensure individual housing, mental health and addictions treatment needs are addressed.
Kory Wilson, B.C. First Nations Justice Council chairwoman, said the B.C. government has shown"courage to do things differently to allow Indigenous people to lead on our path of justice and right those wrongs of the past."
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