Alberta Youth Justice Committees

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Alberta Youth Justice Committees

Youth Justice Committees (YJCs) use restorative practices to offer young people (aged 12-17) an alternative to the court system.

Through open dialogue and community-based resolutions, these committees support healing, responsibility, and positive change.

02/13/2026

🌟 We’re Hiring! 🌟

If you are passionate about making a difference and enjoy connecting with others, we encourage you to check out our newest job posting!

We are hiring for the role of Provincial Youth Justice Committee (YJC) Engagement Coordinator. This role is responsible for expanding and strengthening the YJC programs across Alberta through community engagement, stakeholder collaboration, and direct support to existing and emerging YJCs.

We are looking for someone who is energetic, self-directed, and who has a strong understanding of volunteer services such as recruitment, intake, engagement, and best practices. An ideal candidate will have education in volunteer management or a related field, and a minimum of 2 year’s experience in volunteer management, community engagement, or a related role. This candidate must also have a reliable vehicle, as travel around Alberta may be required.

🔗 Learn more, or apply by visiting: ayjc.ca/careers/

12/16/2025

Why do we have the YCJA?

The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) allows special provisions for youth within the justice system to hold young people accountable, promote rehabilitation, and support crime prevention.

Youth are treated differently than adults within the justice system for many reasons:

👉 Youth have a reduced level of maturity compared to adults
👉 Youths' privacy must be protected by the FOIP Act (Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act)
👉 Timely intervention reinforces the link between the offending behaviour and its consequences due to a young person's perception of time
👉 Reintegration and rehabilitation are given particular emphasis with youth

Learn more at: ayjc.ca

12/12/2025

What is the Youth Criminal Justice Act? 🤔

The Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA) is the law that governs Canada's youth justice system. It applies to youth from the ages of 12 to 18 years old, who are alleged to have committed criminal offences.

The current Youth Criminal Justice Act is intended to protect the public by:

1) Holding young persons accountable through measures that are proportionate to the seriousness of the offence and the degree of responsibility of the young person
2) Promoting the rehabilitation and reintegration of young persons who have committed offences
3) Supporting the prevention of crime by referring young persons to programs or agencies in the community to address the circumstances underlying their offending behaviour

Want to learn more? Follow us, or visit our website at:
ayjc.ca

11/25/2025

Last week, we hosted our monthly Community of Practice session in collaboration with the Government of Alberta. These sessions are offered to all Albertan Youth Justice Committee volunteers as a time to connect, learn, and grow together.

This month, consultants from the International Institute for Restorative Practices (IIRP) led us through a conversation that explored how the values of restorative practices intertwine with the work of Youth Justice Committees. Volunteers discussed the ways that more training around restorative practices could help support them.

All volunteers were asked one powerful question:
✨ In one word — what do Youth Justice Committees create? ✨

AJ, Program Director for CYJS, captured the answers in a word cloud showcasing the heart of this work.

11/22/2025

The work of Youth Justice Committees are guided by the principles of Restorative Justice - an approach that aims to repair the adverse effects of crime in a manner that addresses the root causes of crime.

The principles of restorative justice are:

⭐ Reparation – Addressing the harm caused.
⭐ Respect – Dignity, compassion, and equal voice.
⭐ Voluntariness – Freely given consent to participate.
⭐ Inclusion – All those impacted are welcomed.
⭐ Empowerment – Everyone has a voice.
⭐ Safety – Ensuring emotional and cultural safety.
⭐ Accountability – Responsibility without shame or punishment.
⭐ Transformation – Growth, healing, and change.
⭐ Responsiveness – Being flexible to the specific needs and contexts of all parties involved.

Learn more about Youth Justice Committees at:
ayjc.ca

11/19/2025

This week is Restorative Justice Week!

Restorative justice is an approach that involves those affected by a crime, those responsible for the crime, and other members of the community who may be impacted. It aims to repair harm and address the root causes of crime with the goal of creating healthier and safer futures for all those affected.

The processes of Youth Justice Committees are informed by the principles and core values of restorative justice.

🔗 Learn more about Alberta Youth Justice Committees at: ayjc.ca

11/10/2025

⭐ What makes a young person eligible for the Extrajudicial Sanctions Program? ⭐

For a young person to be eligible, they must:

✅ Have committed an eligible offence
✅ Accept responsibility for their actions
✅ Agree to participate in the program

Young people accused of a serious offence are not eligible for the Extrajudicial Sanctions Program.

A serious offence is an indictable offence under an Act of Parliament for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment for five years or more. These offences are not eligible for Extrajudicial Sanctions.

10/30/2025

Youth Justice Committees have many benefits - for the young person, their family / support system, the victim, and the community. Here are some of those benefits -

👉 For the Young Person:
Increased accountability & awareness of their actions
Avoid a formal youth record
Develop positive relationships with adults in the community

👉 For the Family:
Case is handled quickly & efficiently
Family needs are considered
Referrals can be made to address difficulties
Feel that someone is listening and willing to help

👉 For the Victim:
A chance to share their story
An opportunity to express how the crime has affected them
Restitution, if applicable, may be used to repair harm that was caused

👉 For the Community:
Decrease chances youth will re-offend
Shows youth that the community cares about them
Opportunity to have an effective impact on reducing youth crime
Provides an alternative to the court system for less serious offences

🔗 Learn more at: ayjc.ca

10/24/2025

⭐ What is a Youth Justice Committee? ⭐

Since the 1990s Youth Justice Committees have diverted thousands of Alberta youth from the youth court system. Section 18 of the Youth Criminal Justice Act provides an opportunity for community members to become directly involved in the administration of youth justice by forming Youth Justice Committees (YJCs).

A YJC is an alternative to the court system for young people aged 12 to 17 who are facing a minor charge. Community volunteers work with young people as well as their families, victims, the legal system, and the community, to provide an appropriate and meaningful response.

Referrals to a YJC come from:
Law enforcement investigating officer, including RCMP and municipal/town police departments
Crown prosecutor through their office or through a youth probation office

The law enforcement investigating officer will not lay a charge and the Crown will withdraw the charges once the youth has successfully completed a YJC program.

🔗 Learn more at: ayjc.ca

09/21/2025

⭐ Everyone needs someone to give them a second chance. ⭐

Youth Justice Committees (YJCs) use restorative practices to offer young people (aged 12-17) an alternative to the court system.

Through open dialogue and a strength-based approach, these committees support healing, responsibility, and positive change.

Learn more about Alberta Youth Justice Committees, or find an Alberta YJC near you at:
ayjc.ca

Or by emailing:
[email protected]

Address

4th Floor, 9820 106 Street
Edmonton, AB

Telephone

+18259451443

Website

https://ayjc.ca/

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