Gladue

• Gladue focused on the Criminal Code of Canada section 718.2(e):
• 718.2  A court that imposes a sentence shall also take into  consideration the following principles:
• (e) all available sanctions other than imprisonment that are reasonable in the circumstance should be considered for all offenders, with particular attention to the circumstances of aboriginal offenders.
• Judges must also consider Gladue at the bail hearing (R. v. Ipeelee, 2012 SCC 13, [2012] 1 S.C.R. 433).

Gladue Workers

There are twelve Gladue Workers at Nishnawbe-Aski Legal Services Corporation (NALSC), who prepare Gladue reports for qualifying First Nation members from Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN).

The Gladue Workers are based out of NALSC offices located in Thunder Bay, Sioux Lookout and Timmins.

The Role of a Gladue Worker is:

• To prepare and complete a Gladue report, at the bail stage or sentencing stage, when a request is approved
• To interview the Aboriginal offender about his/her background information; his/her immediate & extended family members; and others from his/her community
• To make recommendations for alternative sentencing, other than imprisonment, e.g. restorative justice, healing circles or culturally appropriate treatment options

Gladue Report

A Gladue report is a form of a pre-sentence report prepared at the bail stage or sentencing stage.

The Gladue Worker will write a Gladue report detailing the unique life circumstances of an Aboriginal person charged with a criminal offence, who is applying for bail OR who has pled guilty (or been found guilty) of a criminal offence and is being sentenced.

The Gladue report will link the life story of an Aboriginal offender to the broader issues facing Aboriginal people, e.g. the inter-generational trauma of residential schools or the 60s scoop.

The Gladue report will provide detailed recommendations for the judge to consider in terms of sentencing.

Is there a Difference between a Gladue Report and a Pre-Sentence Report? YES!

• A Gladue Worker writes the Gladue report, which gives the court a detailed report of an Aboriginal offender’s life, background information, Aboriginal community and the circumstances that brought him/her before the court
• A probation officer writes the pre-sentence report giving the court a picture of an offender and is based on the offender’s criminal record; the report focuses on an offender’s criminal behaviour and risk analysis, i.e. what is the likelihood the offender will re-offend

Information Needed for a Gladue Report

A Gladue report gives the judge the information he/she needs to make the best decision possible when sentencing an Aboriginal offender.

The judge needs to be able to answer two questions:

1.  Why is this particular Aboriginal person before the court?
2. What sentencing options other than jail are available that might help address the reasons why this Aboriginal person is before the court?

The information needed includes the background of the Aboriginal offender, and information about his/her family and community.

How to Request a Gladue Report

• At the bail stage, tell your lawyer, duty counsel or judge you have a Gladue right and would like a Gladue report
• At the sentencing stage, tell your lawyer or judge you have a Gladue right and would like a Gladue report
• A Gladue Report usually takes 6 weeks to be completed

NOTE:  It is an Aboriginal offender’s choice to exercise his/her Gladue right.  It is also an Aboriginal offender’s choice to waive his/her Gladue right; and to inform the court (judge, lawyer, duty counsel).

How to Qualify for a Gladue report through NALSC

The Gladue Worker will assess the availability of a Gladue report upon request where an Aboriginal offender resides in a NAN criminal court jurisdiction.

To request a Gladue Report, Please Contact the Gladue Team Lead:

George Edwards
Thunder Bay office – 1805 Arthur Street East
Toll Free: 1- 800- 465- 5581
Tel: (807) 622-1413 ext. 7625
Cell: (807) 629-4213
Fax: (807) 622-1774
Email: gedwards@nanlegal.on.ca