Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Justice Canada
Canadians expect that their justice system will provide equal access to justice, as well as supporting and protecting people who are participants in the justice system.
Today, the Honourable David Lametti, Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada announced the Government of Canada’s support to the Canadian Juries Commission for their project: British Columbia Jury Support Pilot: Jury Duty Peer Support and Mental Health First Aid and Wellness Training for Sheriffs and Court Officers. The project aims to encourage the support and participation of Canadian citizens in jury duty, by providing in-trial and post-trial support for jurors and promoting the importance of mental health within the justice system.
The Canadian Juries Commission will create two mental health training and support programs for Canadians serving jury duty and pilot them exclusively in British Columbia. The pilot will be supported and implemented in collaboration with the Ministry of the Attorney General of British Columbia. The project will develop and implement mental health first aid and wellness training for BC Sheriffs Service and court staff who manage jurors throughout trials. The training is designed to address jury needs and deliver mental health support directly to jurors in court. A Jury Duty Peer Support group will also be established, providing mental health support, workplace resiliency and social support for jurors post-trial.
The Department of Justice is providing funding for $509,400 over four fiscal years through its Justice Partnership and Innovation Program. This program supports activities that respond effectively to the changing conditions affecting Canadian justice policy.