Canada donates $30 million worth stenography machines to Jamaica

The Jamaican government received a donation of stenography equipment and laptops valued at $30 million to improve court reporting in the justice system.

This contribution was orchestrated through the Canadian-Funded Social Justice Project (SO-JUST), intending to improve the training and facilitation of court reporters and transcribers in Jamaica.

Delroy Chuck, the Chief Justice remarked that the availability of competent court recordings and transcripts is imperative for an effective and efficient process of justice. Emina Tudakovic, High Commissioner of Canada to Jamaica, suggested that this transaction represents a substantial milestone in Canada’s commitment to assisting Jamaica in advancing its justice proceedings and upholding the rule of law.

SO-JUST is a seven-year initiative that was launched last year with the aim to improve the standard of social justice in Jamaica, it has been funded by the Canadian government under the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the government of Jamaica and various civil society partners.

The project started with a budget of 12 million Canadian dollars but has since then gone significantly past the defined budget. This is considered to be an evolution of the previously established Justice Undertakings for Social Transformation programme; the organization conducts research to identify various hurdles and aims to modernize court recording management systems.

The generous donation defines another step towards a more efficient Jamaican justice system. The project's commitment to research and partnership building underlines its intention to identify and address root causes of justice access issues, ensuring an impact beyond the immediate benefits of the equipment donation.

This collaboration between Canada and Jamaica serves as an example of international cooperation in promoting social justice, an effort Canada has doubled down on in recent years. By working together, these countries demonstrate a shared commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that everyone has access to a fair and efficient legal system.