The following statement has been issued on behalf of the Honourable Paul Dinn, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development:

“Our government values the work of Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador. Use of the restorative justice model is well known and aligns with Newfoundland and Labrador’s Safe and Caring Schools. It is intended to support the integration of the principles of relationality and restorative justice into the early childhood, K-12 and post-secondary learning environments. The focus of the contract was to build capacity to do this.

Last year, the Provincial Government awarded a one-year contract valued at more than $285,000 to Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador. That contract resulted in valuable work being completed.

Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador provided workshops on the mentorship and coaching model and relational approach to staff who can now coach others in this to sustain this approach in the child care and school system.

It included work such as supporting restorative justice principles into early childhood learning and K-12 environments, fostering inclusive relationship-centred educational environments, and delivering professional development opportunities to educators.

That one-year contract with Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador has now ended, and we thank them for their work. The department is now awaiting final documentation.

We are open to working with this group and others that provide similar services. We look forward to meeting with Relationships First Newfoundland and Labrador to explore future opportunities.”

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