Court Diversion is a voluntary pre-trial procedure that may allow persons accused of minor criminal offences to be directed away from the criminal justice system. www.stepsforjustice.ca, explains more about court diversion programs and how to determine if you are eligible for them, HERE.

The following is a list of some of the Court Diversions which are available in Ontario. Please note this list is not exhaustive, and the programs are usually geared towards specific groups, such as people with mental health issues, women, men or youth.

To find out about more about court diversion programs and other supports in your area, you can call 211. 211 is a free and confidential phone number open 24 hours a day. The service is available throughout Ontario. 

Court Diversion Programs 

Durham 

Youth (Ages 12 – 17)

Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region
Diversion Reintegration Youth Program (DRYP)

Adults

Community Justice Alternatives of Durham Region
Community Services Orders Program (Adult)

Peel / Halton Region 

Adults

Elizabeth Fry Society of Peel-Halton
Diversion Program

Adults with Mental Health Challenges 

Canadian Mental Health Association - Branches in Brampton, Oakville & Orangeville  
Peel Region Mental Health and Justice Services

Youth (Ages 12 – 17)

Associated Youth Services of Peel
Mental Health and Youth Justice Services   

Elizabeth Fry Society Peel Halton
Court Support Services for Youth

Halton Regional Police - Branches in Burlington, Oakville & Halton Hills
Court Diversion Program 

Simcoe County

Adults with Mental Health Challenges 

Canadian Mental Health Association - Barrie
Justice Programs

Toronto

Youth (Ages 12 – 17)

Peacebuilders Canada
Restorative Youth Circle Programs

Central Toronto Youth Services
Early Release Support Program (Youth Justice)

SpringBoard
Youth Court Action Planning Program (YCAPP)

Adults with Mental Health Challenges 

Margaret’s
Mental Health Diversion, Court Diversion

Sound times
Mental Health Court Support and Diversion Services

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA)
Court Diversion and Support Program

COTA
Mental Health Court Support

Adults Charged with Shoplifting

SpringBoard
Direct Accountability & Stop Shop Theft

Adults Charged with Minor Offences

Elizabeth Fry Toronto 
Direct Accountability at College Park

Women Charged in Domestic Violence Situations  

Elizabeth Fry Toronto 
Partner Abuse Response (PAR)

York Region 

Adults Charged in Domestic Violence Situations  

John Howard Society of Toronto
PAR Program

Adults with Addictions 

Addiction Services for York Region
Court Support Program - Aurora

Adults with Mental Health Challenges

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Branches in Aurora, Markham & Newmarket
Mental Health and Case Management

Youth with Mental Health Challenges 

Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) - Branches in Aurora & Markham 
Youth Mental Health and Case Management 

Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk

Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Diagnosis

Canadian Mental Health Association - Brant Haldimand Norfolk 
Mental Health Court Support

Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health and / or Addiction Issues

St Leonard's Community Services
Enhanced (Mental Health) Bail Verification and Supervision  

Chatham - Kent

Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Challenges

Canadian Mental Health Association - Lambton-Kent
Court Diversion Services

Dufferin County

Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Challenges

Canadian Mental Health Association, Peel Dufferin Branch - Orangeville
Dufferin Court Support Services 

John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin - Orangeville 
Bail Verification and Supervision Program 

Elgin & Huron County

Adults & Youth (16 and up) with a Serious Mental Health Diagnosis

Canadian Mental Health Association - Elgin Branch 
Court Support / Diversion 

Essex County

Youth (Ages 12 - 17)

Youth Diversion Essex County Diversion Program
Youth Justice Committee

Grey Bruce County

Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Diagnosis

Canadian Mental Health Association Grey Bruce
Mental Health Court Support

Hamilton 

Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Challenges

Canadian Mental Health Association - Hamilton 
Mental Health Court Support Services

Adults

John Howard Society
Direct Accountability

Huron - Perth

Adults with Mental Health Diagnosis 

Canadian Mental Health Association
Court Support

Middlesex

Adults & Youth 16 years of age and older who have been charged or convicted of a criminal offence and are coping with a serious mental illness, developmental challenges or brain injury:

Canadian Mental Health Association
Justice Community Support Program

Niagara Region

Indigenous Youth and Adults

Niagara Regional Native Centre
Indigenous Community Justice Program - Ages 12+

Adults 

John Howard Society 
Adult Federal Diversion Program (Fee for Service)

Youth with Mental Health Issues

Pathstone Mental Health 
Youth Justice

Oxford 

People living with a serious mental illness, brain injury or a developmental disability 

Canadian Mental Health Association - Oxford Branch - Locations in Woodstock, Ingersoll &  Tillsonburg
Mental Health Court Diversion

Peel Region

Adults & Youth (16 and up) with Mental Health Challenges

Canadian Mental Health Association, Peel Dufferin Branch
Peel Region Mental Health and Justice Services

Sarnia-Lambton

Youth 12  - 17 

St Clair Child & Youth Services  
Youth Justice Services

Waterloo - Wellington 

Adults with Mental Health Challenges

Canadian Mental Health Association - Waterloo-Wellington Branch - Locations in Guelph and Kitchener
Mental Health and Justice Services 

Kingston Frontenac, Lennox and Addington 

Youth (Ages 12 - 17)

Youth Diversion
Youth Justice Program

Adults 

Addictions and Mental Health Services  - Branches in Napanee, Kingston 
Justice Services 

Peterborough 

Canadian Mental Health Association 
Court Diversion 

Youth (Ages 12 - 17)

John Howard Society of Peterborough
Youth Diversion

Napanee

Adults with Mental Health Challenges 

Lanark County Mental Health 
Court Diversion Mental Health Services 

Northumberland County

Adults with Mental Health Challenges 

Campbellford Memorial Hospital 
Community Mental Health Centre

Indigenous Youth 

Dnaagdawenmag Binnoojiiyag Child and Family Services  
Native Youth Justice 

Ottawa

Adults and Youth with Mental Health Challenges

Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre - Integrated Forensic Program  
Mental Health Court & Mental Health Court Clinic

Prince Edward County and Hastings 

Adults Diagnosed with Mental Health Issues

Addictions and Mental Health Services Hastings Prince Edward
Court Diversion and Court Support

Youth with Mental Health Challenges Renfrew - Stormont

The Phoenix Centre for Children and Families - Youth Justice Services  
Youth Mental Health Court Worker Program 

Rainy River District

Individuals 18 years and older considered to have a Serious Mental Illness, Developmental Disability, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Concurrent Diagnosis, Dual Diagnosis or Acquired Brain Injury who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Fort Frances Branch
Court Diversion and Support Program 

Kenora 

Individuals 18 years and older considered to have a Serious Mental Illness, Developmental Disability, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Concurrent Diagnosis, Dual Diagnosis or Acquired Brain Injury who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Kenora Branch
Dual Diagnosis Court Diversion Program

Youth

Firefly
Youth Mental Health Court Worker Program  

Thunder Bay

Individuals 18 years and older considered to have a Serious Mental Illness, Developmental Disability, Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder, Concurrent Diagnosis, Dual Diagnosis or Acquired Brain Injury who have come into contact with the Criminal Justice System.

Canadian Mental Health Association - Thunder Bay Branch 
Court Diversion Service