Justice Centre in the works

Plans are in the works for a new Community Justice Centre, which will be built in the space between K1037 Radio and Kahnawake Animal Control Services.

The project will allow for Justice Services to accommodate its ever-expanding team, who have long outgrown their current offices.

“This is an incredibly positive development for our justice system and the community,” said Kevin Fleischer, commissioner of justice at Kahnawake Justice Services.

Right now, the space is in the process of being cleared, in preparation for the construction of a modular building that will house more justice services.

It’s still in the early days, with the project tentatively slated for completion by early next year, and plans are still being approved for exactly what kind of modular structure will be installed.

“We’re really excited to share more news as it comes,” Fleischer said.

Over the last several years, the community has seen a rapid expansion of Justice Services, including the formal establishment of the justice department itself, the revitalization of Skén:nen Aonsón:ton, the implementation of an administrative tribunal, and the creation of Victims Services.

“There’s a lot of development and a lot of forward movement, and we simply need a place to offer some of these services,” Fleischer said.

When the new Community Justice Centre is built, it will be able to accommodate a range of justice-based activities.

“The centre would house court sessions, it would house certain restorative justice circles, trainings, meetings, it can offer a confidential space for different actors in the justice system to meet with clients and community members,” Fleischer said.

Right now, staff within Justice Services have some office space, but they have immediate need for more. Court sessions, for instance, take place at the Golden Age Club, and it’s time for those sessions to move to somewhere more specialized, Fleischer said.

“We’re very thankful to have been able to use their facilities the last several years but we simply need more space,” he said. “Our services are growing and expanding, and our space needs to grow and expand also.”

A new structure will provide additional room for training, something Fleischer is particularly excited about.

Since the expansion of services comes with the hiring of more staff, it’s crucial that there’s a dedicated space to onboard those individuals, as well as to provide ongoing professional development training for employees.

“In terms of growth, we’ve maxed out our current space, and we’re all currently in different buildings in the community as our regular offices,” he said. “But for some services and larger scale initiatives we just can’t have those in regular offices, we don’t have room for it. So, we need to have this as also a training centre, an area for learning.”

Other initiatives offered by the unit include Victims Services, which can often require increased confidentiality and a warm, welcoming space. That environment and more will be offered at the new centre, which Fleischer said will have a positive impact on the community’s overall relationship with Justice Services.

“This is going to be our central hub,” he said. “It’s not a court. It’s a multi-purpose space for all of our services.”

The construction of a Community Justice Centre is one aspect of a long-term plan to enhance justice offerings in the community.

“This is still an ongoing project, and there’s much more news to come in the future on this very exciting initiative,” Fleischer said.

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