Legal Aid Ontario skips funding for northeast Gladue writers — again

Those who work with aboriginal offenders in Sudbury are disappointed with an announcement from Legal Aid Ontario that says it will pay for more Gladue writers — but none will come to northeastern Ontario.

Gladue writers prepare pre-sentence reports for aboriginal offenders. There are no Gladue writers in the region — with the exception of two employed by First Nations bands who serve their own communities.

A Gladue report summarizes difficult experiences from an aboriginal person's background. It gives judges a more informed picture of the person they're sentencing.

John Rimore, who works at the John Howard Society to help men in conflict with the law, said some offenders are pleading guilty and serving the sentence because it's faster than waiting for the report.

Sudbury report writer may be coming

Rimore said he's disappointed by the announcement.

“The surprise is that the north seems to have been forgotten, again, for this very important service,” he said.

“And that is tragic because there may be many, many people in our community who actually are innocent but have plead guilty just to get out of jail.”

The agency that helps train Gladue writers — the Aboriginal Legal Services of Toronto — said a second announcement is expected next year.

Program director Jonathan Rudin hinted that Sudbury may finally get a Gladue writer then.

He said he routinely hears from lawyers and judges in Sudbury who want Gladue reports.

“I hate saying no, because I know it would make sense and be useful.”