Justice - 32nd Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice to be hosted in Halifax

HALIFAX , Oct. 29 /CNW/ - The Canadian Criminal Justice Association kicked off the 32nd Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice today, Oct. 29 , in Halifax .

More than 400 police officers, judges, lawyers, academics, and corrections and court staff from across Canada have traveled to take part in the three-day Congress.

"It is great to see Nova Scotia host a congress that brings together delegates to discuss judicial matters of great importance," said Cole Harbour - Eastern Passage MLA Becky Kent , on behalf of Justice Minister Ross Landry . "I hope that attendees will be able to share their knowledge and ideas on how to improve our criminal justice system."

The Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice takes place every two years and has not been held in Nova Scotia since 1999.

This year's congress theme is Problem Solving Justice. Panels on topics ranging from domestic violence courts and high risk youths to federal corrections reform will be held throughout the congress.

"There are few topics of greater interest to Canadians these days than criminal justice," said the Honourable Joseph P. Kennedy, Chief Justice of the Nova Scotia Supreme Court. "We welcome the opportunity to discuss the many important issues affecting Canada's justice system with the diverse collection of participants expected at the Canadian Criminal Justice Association Congress 2009."

Chief Justice Kennedy is the honourary chair and opening speaker of the Canadian Criminal Justice Association Congress 2009.

Panel sessions are open only to Congress registrants however panelists will be available to speak with media throughout the Congress.

The Canadian Criminal Justice Association was founded in 1919 and is an independent national voluntary organization working for an improved criminal justice system in Canada .

For more information about the 32nd Annual Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice, please visit http://www.ccja-acjp.ca/ .

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The Canadian Criminal Justice Association kicked off the 32nd Canadian Congress on Criminal Justice today, Oct. 29 , in Halifax .

More than 400 police officers, judges, lawyers, academics, and corrections and court staff from across Canada have traveled to take part in the three-day Congress.

This year's congress theme is Problem Solving Justice and will host panels over the next three days on topics ranging from domestic violence courts and high risk youths to federal corrections reform.

For further information: Megan Tonet, Nova Scotia Department of Justice, [phone], [email protected]