On March 9, 2001, CAEFS and Osgoode Hall Law School coordinated a Colloquium on Minimum Sentences. A number of the bureaucrats who work within the Department of Justice and the Solicitor General have spoken very highly of our partnership with Osgoode Hall Law School and our courage in taking on this particular issue.

The upcoming edition of The Osgoode Hall Law Journal, will feature the papers featured at the Colloquium. In addition, the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice (NAACJ), the Department of Justice, and the Department of the Solicitor General also focussed on the issue of mandatory minimum sentencing during our most recent tripartite forum.

f) NAACJ - Annual Forum and Conference on Implementation of the Youth . Criminal Justice Act

In the Executive Director's capacity as the President of the National Associations Active in Criminal Justice (NAACJ), she helped organize and host two national meetings. On March 26-27, 2001, the meetings focussed on issues pertaining to the implementation of the proposed Youth Criminal Justice Act. Ailsa Watkinson attended the meetings and presented regarding the implications of the Act with respect to its intersection with educational issues.

On May 7, 2001, Dawn McBride attended another session hosted by NAACJ, the Department of Justice and the Department of the Solicitor General. This NAACJ/Justice/Solicitor General Forum focussed on mandatory minimum sentences and the implication of getting rid of such sentences on the current sentencing realities in Canada.

g) CCJA Congress 2001

The Canadian Criminal Justice Association (CCJA) Congress was held in June 2001 in Halifax. The Executive Director presented on two panels, one with CSC and other community groups regarding community integration needs of women, the other regarding the defence of provocation, during which mandatory minimum sentences were also discussed.

h) Women's Resistance: From Victimization to Criminalization

Much of the past year has also involved the planning and development for our upcoming conference. Organized by the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies (CAEFS) and Canadian Association of Sexual Assault Centres (CASAC), Women's Resistance: From Victimization to Criminalization, will be held in Ottawa, October 1-3, 2001. We are extremely excited about the potential for this conference to really set the agenda for visionary, legislative, policy and services in this area for coming years.

7. Elizabeth Fry Week - Challenging Stereotypes and Encouraging Proactive Action

The Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies celebrates National Elizabeth Fry Week annually. Elizabeth Fry Societies across the country organize public events in their communities throughout the week.