Statement from Attorney General on the Review of First Nations Representation on Juries
Statement from Attorney General on the Review of First Nations Representation on Juries
Today, Attorney General John Gerretsen issued the following statement on the release of the Honourable Frank Iacobucci’s report “First Nations Representation on Ontario Juries”:
“I am pleased to receive Mr. Iacobucci’s report, which proposes a number of ways to increase First Nations representation on juries, and strengthen our province’s justice system overall.
I will be reaching out to my counterparts across government and to First Nations leadership to discuss the important issues raised in this report and to begin the work that is needed to address them.
As a first step, we will immediately work to address Mr. Iacobucci’s top two recommendations. Since no solution to increasing First Nation representation on jury rolls can occur without working directly with First Nation partners, we will form an implementation committee that includes representatives from the First Nations community and from various government ministries. The committee will consider the report’s recommendations, and how they might be implemented. A provincial advisory group will also be set up to provide advice to the Attorney General on matters relating to First Nations and the justice system.
Mr. Iacobucci’s report will help the ministry build on its ongoing efforts to improve participation of First Nations individuals on jury rolls and the government’s ongoing efforts to build constructive, co-operative relationships with First Nations partners in Ontario through mutual respect, dignity, and meaningful participation in decision-making.
I would like to thank Mr. Iacobucci, the many individuals and organizations who contributed to this review, and his team for their dedication and hard work in preparing this report.”
QUICK FACTS
- August 11, 2011, the Honourable Chris Bentley, Attorney General of Ontario, appointed Former Supreme Court of Canada Justice, the Honourable Frank Iacobucci, to review the process for including individuals living in First Nations reserve communities on the province’s jury rolls.
- The province appointed Mr. Iacobucci to conduct a review of existing processes, hold consultations, evaluate best practices, and provide a final report within a year.
- As part of the review, recommendations will be made on how to enhance First Nations representation on the jury roll. Mr. Iacobucci will seek input from First Nations communities and other interested parties.
