I
REPORT TO COUNCIL
VANCOUVER FAMILY COURT/YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE
NOVEMBER 15, 1996
INFORMATION
1. Annual Report
The Vancouver Family Court/Youth Justice Committee is appointed by
City Council under the auspices of the Provincial Court Act and the
Young Offenders Act. The Committee's mandate is to examine services in
the community for families and children, young offenders and youth at
risk.
This annual report covers the period November 1, 1995 to November
15, 1996.
Guest Speakers
The Committee heard submissions from the following guest speakers:
* Her Honour Judge Jane Auxier, Administrative Judge for
Vancouver Family and Youth Court;
* Gordon Hogg, District Director, Corrections Branch;
* Joyce Preston, Provincial Child, Youth and Family Advocate;
* Terry Waterhouse, Vancouver School Board Violence Prevention
Coordinator;
* Lola Chapman, Coordinator, Ridge Meadows Youth and Justice
Advocacy Association - Youth Diversion;
* Bonnie Gallager, Richmond RCMP Diversion Program Coordinator
(Psychologist);
* Greg Eng, Vancouver Park Board Coordinator for Youth Services,
and several Youth Workers;
* Peter Quevillon, Vancouver Park Board, on the Night Hoops
(late-night basketball) program;
* Keith Pattinson, Regional Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of B.C.
and Tracey Cook, Coordinator, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lower
Mainland;
* George Stewart, Burnaby Youth Custody Centre Citizens Advisory
Board;
* Gail Edinger and Laraine Stuart, Co-Coordinators, Vancouver
Co-ordination Program on Violence Against Women in
Relationships;
* Dr. Penny Parry on the Vancouver Youth Strategy.
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The Committee Attended:
* the Gathering Place and City Hall for the 1995 Annual
Conference of Family Court and Youth Justice Committees;
* the Burnaby Youth Detention Centre, observed plant and
inmates, and conversed with staff;
* Vancouver Youth Court to observe court facilities and
procedures;
* Victoria to participate in the 1996 Annual Conference;
* the House of Commons Standing Committee on Justice and Legal
Affairs, as invited witnesses on the Phase II Review of the
Young Offenders Act (one of two Youth Justice Committees in
B.C. invited to participate).
Topics
Since Council receives copies of the Committee's Minutes, we will
not reiterate every subject considered. However, the Committee dealt
with the following items of significance during the course of the year:
* 1995 Annual Conference of Family Court and Youth Justice
Committees of B.C., with particular emphasis on ensuring
attendance by street-involved and other youth at risk in
accordance with the Civic Youth Strategy;
* Gove Report and its implementation;
* Burnaby (Willingdon) Youth Custody Centre, in particular
programming and condition of physical plant;
* lack of resources for youth leaving custody and youth at risk,
including the need for more one-to-one workers, to provide
positive role models and teach life skills;
* the need for residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation
programs for youth;
* the continuation and expansion of Park Board Youth Services;
* the need for youth diversion programs for Vancouver (Council
has received a previous letter dated October 16, 1996, dealing
with this topic in some detail).
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If Council members wish further information on any of these topics,
we would be pleased to provide it.
Future Directions
It is expected that many of the foregoing topics will continue to
occupy the Committee's attention during 1997. However, the Committee
intends to pursue youth diversion programs for Vancouver and
improvements to the Burnaby Youth Custody Centre as its first
priorities, subject to any direction which Council may wish to provide.
The Committee feels it is lacking in two areas. There are not
enough youth representatives on the Committee, and there are no
aboriginal representatives. We will be encouraging suitable nominees in
these categories to put their names forward for Council's consideration.
Acknowledgements
Dr. Sydney Segal has been appointed to the Child and Family Review
Board of B.C.
Ms. Patsy George, a long-time and proactive member, is not standing
for re-appointment in 1997. The Committee wishes to thank Ms. George
for her many services.
The Committee also wishes to thank many staff for their support, in
particular Dr. Penny Parry, former Child and Youth Advocate, Dr. Lois
Yelland, Vancouver Health Board, Greg Eng, Board of Parks and
Recreation, Wendy Turner, Youth Programmer at The Gathering Place, and
staff of the City Clerk's Office.
The Committee also wishes to thank City Council for its support,
both financial and moral, in hosting the 1995 Annual Conference.
Yours truly,
"Jim Siemens" "Charlotte R. Gottschau"
Jim Siemens, Charlotte R. Gottschau,
Co-Chair Co-Chair
CITY MANAGER'S COMMENTS
The City Manager submits the foregoing for
INFORMATION.