Ontario Expanding London Justice Centre

Province building safer, healthier communities

The Voice of Canada

Ontario government announced the opening of the London Justice Centre expansion, a newly renovated downtown facility located in Youth Opportunities Unlimited’s (YOU) Joan’s Place. This expanded centre will support the province’s work to protect communities and increase access to justice for at-risk young adults.

“Justice centres are transforming how justice is delivered across Ontario,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “With the new permanent home for the London Justice Centre, our government is protecting Ontario by strengthening efforts to hold offenders accountable, support victims and survivors of crime and keep communities safe. By connecting at-risk young adults with critical supports—like addiction services, family counselling and life skills—we’re breaking the cycle of offending and protecting Ontario communities.”

The London Justice Centre previously provided access to virtual-only court proceedings in a smaller community-based space. The newly expanded Centre includes:

An Ontario Court of Justice courtroom for in-person proceedings
Technology to support remote testimony
Crown attorney offices and dedicated spaces for duty counsel, Victim/Witness Assistance Program and multiple community partners, including the London Police Service
Community space to provide mental health and addictions supports
Multi-sector services that focus on addressing intimate partner violence
“The London Justice Centre is delivering real results and we’re building on that success,” said Associate Attorney General Michael Tibollo. “With this new, dedicated space and expanded programming, including mental health and addictions supports, we’re helping more young adults to make better choices and avoid reoffending.”

Quick Facts

The London Justice Centre opened in 2020, followed by The Toronto Downtown East and Toronto Northwest Justice Centres in 2021 and the Kenora Justice Centre in 2023.
Since it opened, the London Justice Centre has processed more than 2,400 cases related to young adults, connecting 100 per cent of justice centre participants to mental health, education, employment or housing supports.
Most cases at the London Justice Centre are completed in less than 15 weeks – faster than at the London Courthouse.
Ontario is now developing new justice centres in Barrie and Timmins.
The justice centres project is one of over 18 multi-ministry initiatives funded under Ontario’s five-year Guns, Gangs and Violence Reduction Strategy.

Quotes

“The new, dedicated home of the London Justice Centre brings together the people and services at-risk young adults need to get their lives back on track. We’re delivering meaningful supports to victims and survivors of crime and ensuring offenders are held accountable—because that’s how we build safer communities and protect Ontario.”

• Monica Ciriello
  Parliamentary Assistant to the Attorney General

“The Ontario Court of Justice welcomes the expanded London Justice Centre, which advances the Court’s vision for a justice system that ensures all participants are treated with dignity and can take part meaningfully. The Court remains committed to working with justice partners to build an innovative, principled justice system that is responsive to community needs—particularly for overrepresented groups, including Indigenous and racialized individuals, and those facing mental health or addiction challenges. We commend the government’s efforts and look forward to continued collaboration to expand meaningful access to justice in London, and across Ontario.”

• Sharon Nicklas
  Chief Justice, Ontario Court of Justice

“The London Justice Centre is a powerful example of what can be achieved when police and justice partners come together with a shared goal: to build safer, healthier communities. By connecting young adults to meaningful supports early on, we can interrupt cycles of harm and reduce repeat interactions with police. London Police Service is proud to collaborate with the Centre to deliver accountability, compassion and lasting impact.”

• Thai Truong
  Chief of Police, London Police Service

“The community of London proudly welcomes the expansion of the London Justice Centre in YOU’s Joan’s Place where together we can ensure access to the training, employment and housing supports that meaningfully benefit many young adults in the criminal justice system. This expansion reflects our shared commitment to supporting individuals navigating the justice system with dignity and respect.”

• Steve Cordes
  Executive Director, Youth Opportunities Unlimited