Podcasts

#122 | Restorative Justice in Practice: Lessons from the Okanagan

– Sep 2026

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#122 | Restorative Justice in Practice: Lessons from the Okanagan
Broadcast Date: September 117, 2026

EPISODE SUMMARY | 2026 ANNUAL CONFERENCE | BIOGRAPHIES | RELATED DOCUMENTATION

EPISODE SUMMARY

Can a community-led program change the course of a young person’s life — before the justice system ever has to?

In this episode, Host Laken Tucker (CIAJ’s 2026 Summer Law Student Intern) speaks with Christina Harper (Program Coordinator, Restorative Justice Program, BGC Okanagan) about how the program supports youth ages 12 to 24 through a collaborative model involving the RCMP, local schools, community business partners, and victims. Christina shares how the program came to be, how it’s grown, and the outcomes it’s producing on the ground — from volunteer training to participant feedback and reoffending trends.

This conversation offers a grounded look at how restorative justice functions in practice — and a hopeful case study for communities of any size looking to build something similar.

Guest

Christina Harper, Program Coordinator, Restorative Justice Program, BGC Okanagan

Host

Laken Tucker, CIAJ 2026 Summer Law Intern; JD Candidate, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

BIOGRAPHIES

Christina Harper

Program Coordinator, Restorative Justice Program, BGC Okanagan

Christina Harper is the Coordinator for the Restorative Justice Program at BGC Okanagan in Kelowna, BC. She began her journey in restorative justice as a volunteer, drawn to the work by a strong belief in alternative approaches to youth justice, and through dedication, she has now taken on the role of program coordination. Today, she leads restorative justice services for youth aged 12–24 across Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country, operating within the Youth Criminal Justice Act framework. Her work spans intake and case screening, facilitating restorative dialogue, monitoring agreements, and managing volunteers, along with building partnerships with community organizations including local RCMP detachments and schools.

Laken Tucker

CIAJ 2026 Summer Law Intern; JD Candidate, Schulich School of Law, Dalhousie University

Laken is a second-year JD student at Dalhousie University. She completed her BSc in Psychology at the University of British Columbia. During the summer of 2026 after attending the Queen’s International Law Program she served as an intern supporting CIAJ. In her free time, Laken enjoys to hike, dance, and is an avid reader.