Mr. Speaker, it is my honour to announce the establishment of the Bobbi Hamilton Memorial Award for Outstanding Community Achievement. The Department of Justice is establishing this award to recognize individuals who demonstrate the principles that Bobbi embraced in her daily life.
Bobbi Hamilton was a dedicated and respected community justice coordinator in Hay River for 15 years during which time she worked with hundreds of youths and adults in the community justice program. Sadly, Bobbi passed in November last year. She leaves a legacy of championing restorative justice, helping others, and making her community a better place to live.
Bobbi said that what she loved most about her job as a community justice coordinator was helping others make positive choices, and she had a knack for it. All it takes is one person to help somebody change the course of their life, and Bobbi was that one person for many of the clients she worked with. She shared a story about a youth who was in trouble with the law and making their way through the community justice program's restorative justice process. The youth successfully completed the program, but they kept coming back to Bobbi's office, not because they were in trouble again but just to talk or hang out and do homework. The youth eventually went on to university but continued to visit Bobbi years later. I don't think that was unusual for Bobbi. That is the kind of person she was. The first time you met her, you would swear you had been friends for years.
Outside of work, Bobbi was a tireless volunteer in her community and dedicated time to her church, minor and old-timer hockey, youth sporting events, and wherever else she was needed. She cared deeply about her community, and we cared deeply for her.
It is no surprise that the Department of Justice chose to name the award for Outstanding Community Achievement after Bobbi Hamilton. The award is open to individuals working in the areas of restorative justice and survivor supports, and those who make contributions to community safety. Considerations include:
Years of service;
Work promoting peaceful conflict resolution and healing between offenders, victims, families and the community; and,
Leadership in community justice and collaboration with community partners, and organizations.
The Bobbi Hamilton Award for Outstanding Community Achievement will be open for nominations for next year. It will be awarded at the Annual Community Justice Symposium, and the winner will be offered the opportunity to attend the National Restorative Justice Symposium that takes place in a different location across Canada each year.
Mr. Speaker, the Department of Justice is excited to honour Bobbi Hamilton's legacy with this award and recognize others who exemplify her dedication and commitment to community. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Minister of Justice. Ministers' statements. Minister for Education, Culture and Employment.
