Canada and Ontario are jointly expanding youth justice centres in Toronto to better support at-risk youth, providing comprehensive services that address social, educational, and rehabilitative needs. The centres combine community-based programs, mentorship, and tailored interventions to promote positive development and reduce youth recidivism.
The expansion aligns with federal and provincial strategies that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment, offering integrated services such as mental health support, educational assistance, and life skills training. By collaborating with local organizations, schools, and social service agencies, the initiative adopts a holistic, community-centered, and youth-focused approach.
Equity and inclusion are central to the project, targeting youth facing systemic barriers like socio-economic disadvantage, family instability, and exposure to violence. The expanded centres provide safe spaces for guidance, skill development, and coping strategies to help young people reintegrate into society successfully. Five new youth justice centre satellite locations in Toronto will improve access to legal and community supports, complementing a new location at the Ontario Court of Justice – Toronto courthouse.
These satellite locations build on the successful Toronto Northwest Justice Centre model and aim to deliver early intervention and wraparound supports to break the cycle of offending. The expansion also responds to rising youth-involved gun crime and violence, backed by a federal investment of $13 million over four years supporting Ontario’s four existing justice centres and the development of a fifth centre in Barrie.
The project is part of Ontario’s five-year Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy, with justice centres receiving $2.9 million in provincial funding per year. The new satellite offices, located across Scarborough, Etobicoke, and North York, are expected to process over 2,200 youth cases annually while connecting participants to mental health, education, employment, and housing supports.
This initiative is supported federally through Justice Canada’s Justice Partnership and Innovation Program and builds on $28.6 million over five years allocated in the 2020 Fall Economic Statement to support Community Justice Centre pilot projects in British Columbia, Manitoba, and Ontario. Early results from the Toronto Northwest Justice Centre show positive outcomes, with 81% of youth improving their education status after participation.
Officials emphasized the project’s impact on both youth and communities. Canada’s Minister of Justice highlighted how the investment improves equitable access to justice and community safety. Ontario’s Attorney General noted the expansion strengthens offender accountability and support for victims, while the Chief Justice of the Ontario Court of Justice praised the innovative approach addressing risk factors for youth entering the justice system. Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw emphasized that multi-level collaboration improves outcomes for at-risk youth and promotes community safety and wellbeing.
