NDP MHA Sheilagh O’Leary (St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) wrote Premier Wakeham last week urging the Conservative government to reinstate funding for Relationships First NL (RFNL), warning that the loss of funding will undermine essential restorative justice work in the education system. With rising concerns about incidents of violence in schools, O’Leary says the government’s decision to cut funding to RFNL represents a step backwards and is inconsistent with its own election commitment to building safer communities.
O’Leary says RFNL has played an important role in providing sustained professional learning and mentoring for educators, developing resources, supporting research, and bringing together individuals and organizations working to strengthen restorative approaches in schools over the past several years.
She argues that restorative justice supports like those provided through RFNL are a key part of prevention and long-term safety in the education system, and that removing that support undermines efforts already underway in schools.
“I am particularly concerned that without timely intervention RFNL will be forced to close at the end of this month and will have to stop supporting programs entirely. The end of this restorative justice-based program will have a direct and lasting impact on communities and will place additional pressure on already over-extended social systems,” O’Leary wrote.
“I strongly urge you to restore funding to RFNL to ensure they have the stability needed to do this vital work across the province. Restorative justice learning is imperative at early school level for children to understand conflict resolution and to set the stage for the rest of their lives.”
A full copy of the letter is attached.