Advancing Justice Centres in Toronto - by Councillor Amber Morley, seconded by Councillor Frances Nunziata

The City in partnership with the Provincial Government (Ministry of Attorney General) is piloting two Justice Centres in Toronto the Toronto North West and Toronto Downtown East. The partnership with and investment by the Ministry of Attorney General intentionally applies City-led tools, resources and expertise, leverages City infrastructure and builds the capacity of specialized community service providers to better support Justice involved Torontonians. Applying a cross-government approach to Justice Centres advances actions of SafeTO, Toronto's Ten-Year Community Safety and Well-Being Plan, including: 1.2 Implement Life Stabilization and Service Navigation Supports; and 4.3: Strengthen Access to Community Justice by Prioritizing Culturally-Responsive Reintegration and Restorative Practices, including Justice Centres The 2025 approved Operating Budget for Social Development, Finance and Administration is proposed to be increased by $434,850 gross and $0 net, fully funded from revenues received from the Ministry of Attorney General to be allocated as follows: a. $106,000 to further support the City of Toronto and community partners to provide Youth Justice Case Management Services; b. $116,000 to further support the City of Toronto and community partners to provide Specialized Developmental Disability Case Management Services; c. $100,000 to further support the City of Toronto and community partners to provide Mental Health Case Management Services; d. $85,000 to provide policy and program development and communication advice; e. $6,150 to provide Satellite Justice Access in Toronto Northwest; and f. $21,700 to provide Satellite Justice Access in Toronto Downtown East. This motion is time sensitive given the agreement starts April 1, 2025. Finalizing the agreement was delayed due to the Provincial election. Staff are now in a position to proceed with this important Justice Centre work in partnership with the Ministry of Attorney General.

3. City Council authorize the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to negotiate and enter into funding agreement(s), including any necessary amending, renewal and extension agreements, with non-profit, community-based organizations, within the resources approved in Social Development, Finance and Administration's annual operating budget to support the implementation of Justice Centres in Toronto, upon terms satisfactory to the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and in a form satisfactory to the City Solicitor.