Leader in Restorative Justice to Receive Honorary Doctorate
As a parole officer in 1974, Grebel alumnus Mark Yantzi (BA 1969, MASC 1978) worked on the case of two teenaged offenders arrested after a vandalism spree in Elmira, Ontario. Yantzi and a colleague convinced the judge to order the young offenders to make direct restitution to their victims, rather than sentencing them to prison or detention. Yantzi accompanied the offenders in person as they met victims to listen, apologize, and make restitution.
News of this experiment in sentencing quickly spread, sparking creative responses to criminal cases across the country and in similar justice systems in New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. In Canada, it directly led to legislative changes including amendments to the Criminal Code, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the adoption of the Canadian Victim's Bill of Rights.
Restorative justice is a concept found in many cultures and traditions around the world, including in Cree, Anishinabek, Mi’kmaq, Haudenosaunee, and Inuit traditional approaches to justice, as well as in religious traditions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Islam. However, the Elmira Case was the first known formal application of restorative justice in criminal sentencing in Canada.
Mark Yantzi’s career has focused on helping people in conflict to listen to each other and find just solutions to their problems. He founded Community Justice Initiatives in 1979 and served as its Executive Director until 2009. Under his leadership, CJI developed creative programs to address community justice needs. Yantzi also worked as a mediator with Correctional Service of Canada, served several terms as a Councillor at both the City of Kitchener and the Region of Waterloo, and wrote two influential books on restorative justice practices.
Yantzi completed a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology in 1969 and a Master of Applied Science in Human Relations and Counselling in 1978, both from the University of Waterloo. He associated with Grebel as an undergraduate student and was the recipient of the College’s Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 2004.
In recognition of his outstanding accomplishments in the field of restorative justice, Yantzi will receive an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Waterloo. “In taking a bold and unconventional approach to a typical case of criminal vandalism, Mark Yantzi helped to spark a worldwide movement in restorative justice,” noted Grebel President Marcus Shantz. “Yantzi has embodied Waterloo’s aspirations through his career as a leader and social innovator in the field of restorative justice,” added Shantz. “This degree is one way to signal our commitment to a better societal future and we hope it will also inspire our graduates to consider what they might contribute to that future.”
With increased interest in restorative justice, Grebel has introduced a Restorative Justice Specialization and Diploma, working with twelve UWaterloo departments, including Indigenous Studies. The RJ Specialization is open to all PACS majors looking to pursue an in-depth study of alternative, non-conventional responses to societal harms and injustices, as well as solutions to harms experienced by individuals or groups in schools, faith communities, or social settings. The RJ Diploma is available to all University of Waterloo students enrolled in a degree program or any non- or post-degree academic plan.
“Restorative justice as a philosophy emphasizes healing and accountability to repair harm and injury, build healthy relationships, and create thriving communities,” explained Grebel Peace and Conflict Studies (PACS) Professor Johonna McCants-Turner. “Restorative justice tells us that justice is about meeting needs and responding to the impacts of harm.”
Mark Yantzi will receive the Honorary Doctor of Laws at UWaterloo’s Fall 2024 Convocation on October 26. Grebel will mark this award by screening “The Elmira Case” documentary on Friday, October 25 at noon in Room 2202.
