Cochrane’s Cathy Bergquist has been honoured by the provincial government for her contributions as a founding member of the Cochrane & District Youth Justice Committee, which provides education and training and emphasizes the importance of empowering youth involved with the justice system to have a second chance in life.
Bergquist won her 2024 Community Justice Award last week, after more than two decades with the Cochrane committee, which services an area that stretches from Okotoks to Lake Louise to Sundre.
Bergquist was named in the Emerging Excellence category. She’s been emerging for 28 years.
A founding member of the committee established in 1996, she currently serves as both chair and team lead.
She was taken aback when she received the news last week.
“When I found out that I received it, it really was overwhelming,” she said.
Each year, the Alberta Community Justice Awards shine a spotlight on unsung heroes whose innovative efforts and outstanding leadership help prevent crime and protect communities. Alberta’s government honoured ten community leaders for their exceptional contributions to crime prevention and community safety across cities, towns and neighbourhoods throughout Alberta.
On the 33rd anniversary of the Alberta Community Justice Awards, Alberta’s government honoured ten community leaders for their exceptional contributions to crime prevention and community safety across cities, towns and neighbourhoods throughout Alberta.
The Cochrane-based committee provides community based justice for youth aged 12 through 17 who are in conflict with the law. They are referred to the committee by crown prosecutors.
“It's a restorative process. They come to our committee to do extra judicial sanctions, so it is still a legal process,” Bergquist said.
“They enter into a legal contract, but if they're successful, if they accept responsibility, they put it behind them and the charges then are removed,” she said. “It gives them a second chance.”
“The youths understand when they come to us that it's in their contract that if they are not successful then their file will go back to the crown prosecutor and they will go to court with the possibility then of being found guilty,” she said.
So in an ideal situation, the process may help youth avoid a criminal record for the rest of their lives, and also help them forge a new path in their life and accept responsibility.
The committee also can receive direct referrals from the RCMP before charges are laid, where officers feel they're a good candidate and they're accepting responsibility.
The committee is currently comprised of six volunteers from very diverse age groups, life experiences and education.
During her tenure, Bergquist has worked on over 500 extra-judicial files and has been a critical mentor for every volunteer supporting the committee.
She has also been instrumental in assisting other youth justice committees in Sundre, High River, Okotoks, and Claresholm, as well as maintaining working relationships with Cochrane, Canmore, and Banff RCMP.
Bergquist had no legal background when the committee was formed. She was a school trustee with kids in the school.
“I've always volunteered in schools. Always had a heart for youth and so this restorative justice process really appealed to me. That's why I got involved,” she said. “We teach and we learn and grow together.”
“And we just feel like it is very worthwhile. We serve one youth, one family at a time. We are transforming a community and it's very satisfying.”
