Justice Matters: Challenges and Opportunities
NOTE TO EDITORS: This is part of a periodic feature series titled Justice Matters. Produced by the Nova Scotia Department of Justice, it is intended to provide some additional background information and offer some insight into issues relating to the justice system.
JUSTICE MATTERS
Rusmira Radisic is bright, dynamic and easy to talk to. She speaks several languages, and as a lawyer she has spent years giving legal advice to her clients on everything from finances to family and divorce law.
Ayse Dai-Gammon is also a lawyer who speaks several languages. She has specialized in commercial law and foreign investments, and has assisted foreign citizens in her country on a broad range of legal issues. Energetic and hard-working, she is eager to put her skills to the test.
Miodrag Lalovic is a computer whiz. With seven years experience, he can fix just about anything and is always ready to help those who are less computer literate.
What do these people have in common? For starters, they are new Canadians, have extensive professional experience, and are part of an exciting new program at the Department of Justice. It's called Justice Opportunities for Immigrants, and it is giving new Canadians a chance to gain the work experience they need to be competitive for job opportunities in the civil service or the private sector.
"It's a dream come true," said Rusmira, who immigrated from the former Yugoslavia three years ago. "It gives us a chance to use our skills and learn how the Canadian justice system works."
Eight positions were created through the program, which is funded by the federal Department of Employment and Immigration. The positions are varied and include in-take staff, a computer services officer, an enforcement assistant and several justice officers. The positions were advertised in the provincial Employment Opportunities Bulletin, and the candidates were required to go through a standard interview and hiring process. "This is a wonderful opportunity," said Ayse Dai-Gammon, who is working at the Supreme Court of Nova Scotia, family division. "It's difficult to apply for jobs in Canada when all of your references are from other countries. This program helps us build experience and gives us a chance to show that we are able to adapt to the Canadian system and perform well."
The program is not limited to the creation of jobs for new Canadians, but goes a step further in making our justice system more accessible. A policy for court interpreters is being developed to ensure that people before the courts have trained interpreters to assist them and to assist judges in understanding evidence submitted from witnesses, from accused on criminal matters, or from those appearing for family law issues such as maintenance, custody and access, or child protection. Information packages are being developed in several languages to help new Canadians learn how the system works and what will be expected of them.
The goal of the program is to make the justice system more comfortable for our newest citizens and offer them an opportunity to develop their skills and gain new experience that will help them find employment in their field of expertise.
The program is expected to run until September 1999. Meanwhile, the new employees at the Department of Justice continue to hone their skills and prepare themselves for the exciting opportunities ahead. The time they have spent with the department has provided new experience, new challenges and new friendships.
Vesna Radivojevic, working at the Justice Centre in Truro, said that whether or not she finds a permanent job right away she is grateful for the chance to participate in the program. "We need time to adapt to the system and the workplace," said Vesna. "I have really enjoyed this chance to work in my field, and I would like to say thank you to everyone who helped to realize this wonderful program for new Canadians."