2024 John Dunlop Memorial Award winner announced

Congratulations! The Nova Scotia Criminal Justice Association is pleased to announce the John Dunlop Memorial Award recipient for 2024 is Ian Brewster, Parole Officer Supervisor, Correctional Service Canada, Kentville, NS.

The John Dunlop Award is presented annually to an individual who has lived for three years or more in Nova Scotia and has made a significant contribution to both the Criminal Justice System and the community, with a focus on youth. This is the 48th presentation of the Award since 1977. It is the oldest Justice Award in Canada.

Ian has been a Parole Officer Supervisor for 9 years, is a leader and mentor to staff locally, has served as Acting Area Director for Nova Scotia and New Brunswick frequently and for extended periods. He has supported CSC Colleagues as regional trainer on multiple levels plus advice on training to assist new CSC managers. His contributions to training and leadership have been in the areas of Parole application / supervision process for Case Management staff, Electronic monitoring, Day Parole – Other location reintegration, National Task teams involving Victim Engagement, Correctional Planning, Offender Management System upgrades, Civilian Police Working Group, Nova Scotia High Risk Domestic Violence Protocol, Youth Network Speed Monitoring, Living Library, and others. He is an annual speaker to Forensic Psychology Course at Acadia on CSC interventions.

Since 2021, Ian’s community and youth focus has been Scouting leadership in the Wolfville area – primarily with Cubs – but also Scouts and Beavers. Character building activities and adventures initiated by Ian include: annual whale watching events at Digby Neck, Camping at Fort Beausejour, New Brunswick, Train rides to overnight stays at 18 th Century Fort in Aulac, summer and winter camping at Kejimkujik Park, Youth development activities such as rock climbing, swimming, hiking, food bank donations, tree planting, shoreline cleanup, boating, science outings and others.

In 2024, Ian led Wolfville Scout attendance at the International Scout Jamboree in Essex England, serving on the Welfare team which focused on character building, safety, physical / mental health and wellbeing – all made possible for Wolfville scouts by Ian’s massive fundraising leadership locally and beyond. A trip is now being planned through Ian’s leadership for the Swedish World- Wide Scouting Jamboree in 2026.Ian has received six national commendations for exceptional Scouting leadership and has received broad scope training that will further advance his exceptional work with youth. Congratulations Ian!