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Community Environmental Justice Forums Using Restorative Justice to address Environmental Violations

Community Environmental Justice Forums Using Restorative Justice to address Environmental Violations. BC Ministry of Environment October 2013. Welcome!. Are we serving the public interest?. Restorative Justice

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Community Environmental Justice Forums Using Restorative Justice to address Environmental Violations

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  1. Community Environmental Justice ForumsUsing Restorative Justice to address Environmental Violations BC Ministry of Environment October 2013

  2. Welcome!

  3. Are we serving the public interest?

  4. Restorative Justice • A formally recognized dispute resolution process designed to address offending behaviour and conflict • Repairing harm and • changing behaviour • Problem solving – not punitive • A process involving an offender, victims and community • Creating an opportunity for learning and building relationships

  5. CEJFs: A Partnership

  6. Public Policy Questions

  7. Why use Community Environmental Justice Forums? • Benefits

  8. Time and Resources Pollution file: • ˂ $1000 • ˂ 3 months from infraction to conclusion • $24,500 in restitution • Apology to local paper, signage, staff meetings, newspaper interview and release of retribution sanctions.

  9. Time and Resources Mercury and Leachate Spills • 318 hours facilitators • 45 days total • 33 days from initial TECK meeting to forum’s conclusion • $325, 000 retribution • Retribution leveraged more funding to estimated $600,000 for environmental improvement.

  10. Time and Resources Sour Gas Leak • Post-charge • 7 weeks from initial meeting with company to forum • $250, 000 retribution • Compliancewith agreement within 4 days

  11. Benefits for Government and Citizens • More timely and cost effective • resolution of cases • Reduces burden on courts • Positive behaviour change • (high compliance, low recidivism) • High staff morale • Positive environmental outcomes

  12. Benefits for Communities • Empowered to solve problems and • administer justice • Offers answers and insights • Restitution that benefits the • community directly • Building relationships with industry

  13. Mayor of Trail- Dieter Bogs • “Community involvement in what I consider a community issue is a huge step forward in resolving these incidents.” • “ Having the company explaining to the community why this happened had a huge emotional impact on the individuals involved. • “The process creates a high level of awareness and enhanced accountability” • “Having the penalty monies staying in the community that was affected by the incident ensures the best possible outcome for what was a unfortunate event.”

  14. Benefits for Companies • Good public relations: • helps restore social licence • Avoids a costly adversarial court • process and potential conviction • Building positive relationships • with community and enforcement

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