What We Heard Online

To support and complement dialogue sessions, Justice Canada and KES launched an online engagement platform. In Wave 1, the platform acted as a companion piece to the virtual dialogue sessions. While virtual sessions provided a space for invited participants to express their input over the course of a three-hour session, the online engagement platform allowed anyone to anonymously express their opinion. Providing an online space was effective in drawing out ideas over time and not restricting people’s airtime in a session.

The platform permitted participants to input ideas and comments for just over three months—between November 29, 2022, and March 8, 2023. During this period, there were more than 8500 site visits and 250 users who registered and created an account.

Participants were encouraged to participate in two Wave 1 ideation exercises, which allowed participants who registered for the site to post freely in an open environment where others could read their ideas, reply, like, and share via email and social media. Participants provided input to two questions:

  1. The purpose of Indigenous Justice Strategy (IJS) is to reduce overrepresentation and systemic discrimination of Indigenous people in the Canadian justice system. Please share your ideas on what key reforms are needed to best advance this engagement objective?

As with the in-person conversations, many commenters’ ideas were aligned with the main themes that emerged through this engagement process. Participants expressed a significant and clear desire to see a transfer of both authority and funds to Indigenous authorities and Elders; participants cited that bringing justice solutions within communities would better align with the needs of Indigenous communities.

While participants did present numerous ideas that were directly in line with the main themes, other ideas put forth painted a different picture. While participants did agree that the colonial system does not work for Indigenous people and their needs, several participants did, however, reference adaptations that could allow the colonial system to better suit Indigenous people. One commenter suggested that the decriminalization of specific non-violent crimes would have a substantial positive impact on Indigenous people, suggesting, “decriminalizing simple drug possession […] would make an immediate impact on the amount of Indigenous people being put into the justice system.” That commenter goes on to suggest that this one change could have a substantial impact:

“At the end of the day, the number of offences that would be “diverted” from the criminal justice system would be immense. Which would then eliminate the rest of the issues, multiple bail orders and conditions, multiple violations, families being broken up due to domestic policies, overpopulated remand centres and correctional facilities, over worked court staffs, overworked probation, etc.”

Another commenter brought forth the idea that fast-tracking pardon applications would be a helpful way to improve Indigenous justice:

“Many Indigenous Canadians are not willing to go through the cumbersome process of applying for pardon of criminal charges. The Government of Canada should have assistance available to fill applications at diverse locations and ensure there is a fast-track pathway to remove old charges and ensure clean criminal records to allow for more employment opportunities.”

  1. Please share your ideas on how Indigenous laws and justice systems can be reclaimed, acknowledged, and supported as part of an Indigenous Justice Strategy. 

Many of the comments validated that participants’ ideas reflected the broad themes identified. While this is the case, various participants identified the need for more education.

“Many Indigenous peoples, including me, do not know their rights when it comes to the Justice system. If there were more educational workshops in First Nations right across Canada that will help us all understand the Justice system better.”

Education is important for all Canadians, not just for Indigenous people:

“I believe to continue to build momentum towards better justice for Indigenous people that education for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people is critical. Many people living in Canada, regardless of their background, do not understand the varied and rich history of Indigenous justice and laws. There are so many lessons from so many Nations that could be helpful in figuring out a path forward and ensuring that all are aware—in a good way—of the past and current.”