British Columbia is home to a rich collection of community-based, Indigenous, Municipal, Provincial, and Federal programs. These programs work with police, Crown counsel, schools, universities, correctional institutions and BC communities to support and facilitate restorative responses to a range of matters.
Restorative justice approaches in BC can be accessed prior (or as an alternative) to, during, and after the criminal justice process, depending on resources available at your location and the circumstances of the crime. Restorative justice can also assist in cases that are not reported to the police or in non-criminal incidents such as harm or conflict that occurs in within families or neighborhoods and in schools or workplaces.
Here are some examples of restorative initiatives in BC that are offered outside and in relation to the legal system.