Vancouver City Council

REPORT TO COUNCIL

VANCOUVER FAMILY COURT/YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE

April 1, 2003

RTS: 3322
CC File: 3118-1
Council: April 22, 2003

1. Appointments to Family Court/Youth Justice Committee

THAT Council annually appoint up to two members to the Vancouver Family Court Youth Justice Committee, in addition to the Council appointees, on recommendation of the Committee following its due deliberation and consideration of its needs.

CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS

The City Manager recommends that this report and its recommendation be referred to the Advisory Body Task Force for their consideration.

BACKGROUND

The Vancouver Family Court Youth Justice Committee at its March 26, 2003, meeting passed the above motion unanimously.

The new Youth Justice Act came into force across Canada on April 1, 2003, and speaks of the need for having Aboriginal and other groups engaged and involved in all aspects of the delivery of justice. In light of the new Youth Justice Act, and in keeping with the City's commitment to ensure competent and inclusive committees that reflect the diversity of our community, the Committee respectfully asks that Council approve the above motion.

At present the Committee has no Aboriginal person(s) in its membership. The Committee believes that it is important to have strong representation from the Aboriginal community in Vancouver actively involved in setting the direction of family and youth justice matters in this city.

The Committee is approaching Council on this matter at this time for the following reasons:

1) it is very important to have at least two Aboriginal people as members;
2) one resignation from the Committee has recently been received; and
3) the Committee is early in its work for 2003, which should allow easy inclusion of new members.

If the above motion is approved the Committee will forward the names of Aboriginal candidates for your consideration and appointment.

(Signed) "Sadie Kuehn", Chair

Vancouver Family Court/Youth Justice Committee

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