Restorative policing in Canada: the royal Canadian mounted police, community justice forums, and the youth criminal justice act

Abstract The recent history of restorative justice in Canada highlights the primacy of mediation (Mennonite tradition) and aboriginal peacemaking circles (aboriginal justice). In the mid‐1990s, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) introduced a third model, conferencing from New Zealand via Australia. An overview of the police experience with conferencing, both in the South Pacific and in Canada, is provided. The significance of the new Youth Criminal Justice Act (YCJA), implemented in 2003, to police discretion and restorative justice opportunities is discussed in specific aspects. Some concerns are highlighted, particularly those related to the practice of 'shaming' and the connection between shame and violence. Keywords: Restorative justice RCMP Police Aboriginal justice Mediation Conferencing Community justice forum Shaming