Access to peace bonds outside Iqaluit easier with training program: Minister

It’s now easier for people living outside Iqaluit to apply for restraining orders.

The Department of Justice has provided training to assist people outside Iqaluit who need that legal tool, Justice Minister David Akeeagok said in the legislative assembly Oct. 24. The assistance became available last year.

“This has increased access to justice and provides more options to protect the safety and security of Nunavummiut dealing with abuse and violence,” he said.

A peace bond is a type of restraining order the court can order under the Criminal Code of Canada that imposes conditions on a person who has threatened or harmed someone. It’s essentially a bond to “keep the peace,” according to Canada’s Department of Justice.

Filing a peace bond doesn’t cost anything, and it is enforced by police across Canada.

Anyone who fears another person might harm them, their spouse or partner, their child, or their property can apply for a peace bond, said Stephen Shaddock, director of policy and planning for the Nunavut Department of Justice.

Applications can be filed with the Nunavut Court of Justice in person in Iqaluit, or outside the community by fax email.

Until last year, Nunavummiut living outside of Iqaluit “had barriers” to accessing peace bonds because of limited local resources, Shaddock said.

Nunavummiut outside Iqaluit could not apply in person, and if they didn’t have access to internet or fax machine they would have needed additional assistance.

“From time to time, RCMP officers and other community members familiar with the process could assist applicants, if available,” Shaddock said.

To remedy this, the department’s community justice and the justice of the peace offices partnered in 2021 to develop training for hamlet-level employees on how to prepare and file peace bond applications.

The total number of peace bond applications increased from 106 in 2022, before the assistance was available, to 116 in 2023, Shaddock said.

Anyone experiencing abuse or harassment is encouraged to contact their local community justice outreach workers. If there is an emergency, Nunavummiut can contact their local RCMP detachment.