Colette Squires, MA, RSGD

Part-Time Instructor of Sociology
For more than 30 years the focus of my work has been helping people learn, grow, navigate conflicts, or tackle tough issues in a good way. This fascinating journey resonates with my desire to support human flourishing and be part of what makes our world a better, more caring place.

Colette Squires is an organizational consultant, mediator, and post-secondary educator.  She established Colette Squires and Associates in 2010, providing services in mediation, coaching, training, presentations, research and white papers, program design and evaluation, board governance and leadership development.  Previous and current clients include all levels of government, police, fire services, victim services, various school districts, universities, private business, not-for-profits, faith communities, Indigenous and charitable groups.

She is a sessional faculty member at the Center for Conflict Resolution at the Justice Institute of BC and has been a researcher at the University of the Fraser Valley Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice. She began teaching Criminology and Justice for the Sociology Dept at Trinity Western University in 2018.

In a former role as the Executive Director of Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association, Colette led the organization from its infancy in 2003 to a thriving organization¬—designing and delivering Victim Offender Mediation services for police and adult crown referrals, school-based initiatives in Restorative Action, and an innovative mentoring program for at-risk youth.

With a long history of volunteerism, Colette gives back to her community in a variety of ways. In 2015 she was appointed by the BC government to the Real Estate Council of BC, and in 2020 she became the Public Advisor to the Board of Directors for the Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. Previously, she served for 6 years on a Citizen Advisory Committee for Correctional Service Canada. In 2021 she was appointed by the BC government to the Abbotsford Police Board, and in 2022 she was honoured to receive the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Award for service to community, recognizing more than 20 years of involvement locally and provincially. 

https://www.colettesquires.com/about-colette

  • MA Criminal Justice (University of the Fraser Valley, BC)
  • BMus (Honours), (Western University, London, ON)
  • ARCT (Piano Performance) (Royal Conservatory of Music at the University of Toronto, ON)

Certificates and additional training in:

  • Governing in the Public Interest: Government of BC Ministry of Finance (2022)
  • CUES Real Estate Governance Program (RSG.D): University of Toronto Rotman School of Management Executive Programs (2021)
  • Board Governance and Media Training: Fraser Valley Real Estate Board (2020, 2021)
  • Indigenous Canada (University of Alberta) – in progress
  • Aboriginal Perceptions Training:  Correctional Service of Canada (2014)
  • Associate Certificate in Leadership and Conflict Resolution:  Justice Institute of BC (2010)
  • Certificate in Conflict Resolution: Specialization in Mediation/Third Party Intervention (2009)
  • Victim Offender Mediation and Conferencing:  Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives (2004)
  • Basic Victim Offender Mediation Training: Fraser Region Community Justice Initiatives (2003)
  • Understanding and Responding to Complicated Mourning: Dr. Alan Wolfelt, PhD. (2001)

Expertise

Mediation, Conflict Resolution, Leadership, Governance, Criminal Justice and Social Problems, Restorative Justice, Grief/Loss, Traauma-informed Practice, Evidence-based rogram Design and Evaluation.

Selected research and publications:

  • Squires, C. (2019). Achieving transformative change: Addressing visible homelessness and addiction in Abbotsford through an Intensive Case Management Team, substance use services, and modular housing.  An evidence-based proposal developed in partnership with Fraser Health and prepared for the Speaker and MLA for Abbotsford South.
  • Squires, C. (2019). White paper.  Understanding the Anesthesiology shortage in BC:  Finding a path forward. For the Speaker and MLA for Abbotsford South.
  • Squires, C. (2018).  White paper. Implementing medical assistance in dying (MAiD) in British Columbia:  Should a hospice or long-term care facility be allowed to op out of MAiD?  For the Speaker and MLA for Abbotsford South.
  • Plecas, D., Squires, C., & Garis, L. (2018). The essentials of leadership in government: Understanding the basics. 1st and 2nd ed. University of the Fraser Valley, for the City of Surrey.  Available on Amazon and at UFV: https://cjr.ufv.ca/the-essentials-of-leadership-in-government-understanding-the-basics/
  • Squires, C. (2018). The Reconciliation Toolkit:  Training in conflict resolution and restorative practices for faith-based communities. Commissioned by CTK, Snohomish. WA.
  • Squires, C. (2016). White paper.  Gang exiting programs: A review of best practices and research findings. Produced for the City of Surrey Public Safety Team and the CFSEU-BC End Gang Life Working Group.
  • Squires, C. (2015). From passion to proof: The power of program evaluation. 3rd ed. Abbotsford, BC:  Colette Squires and Associates. 2nd ed. 2011, 1st ed. 2010.
  • Squires, C. (2015). From darkness to dawn:  Healing from traumatic loss. Produced for the Abbotsford Hospice, November 2015.  Abbotsford, BC:  Colette Squires and Associates
  • Squires, C., and Plecas, D. (2015).  Death by a thousand cuts: The Abbotsford Police Department’s multi-dimensional program for gang suppression. In F. Lemieux, G. Den Heyer & D. Das (Eds.).  Economic Development, Armed Violence, and Public Safety: Their Effect on Police Reform (pp. 117-150).  Boca Raton, Florida:  CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.
  • Robinson, K., Plecas, D., Squires, C., & McLandress, K.  (2015).  Pre-charge restorative justice and its effect on repeat and adult offenders. In F. Lemieux, G. Den Heyer & D. Das (Eds.), Economic Development, Armed Violence, and Public Safety: Their Effect on Police Reform (pp 81-104). Boca Raton, Florida: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis Group.
  • Robinson, K., Plecas, D., Squires, C., & McLandress, K. (2012). The impact of restorative justice on recidivism among shoplifters. Abbotsford, BC:  Centre for Public Safety and Criminal Justice Research at the University of the Fraser Valley School of Criminology and Criminal Justice. 
  • Robinson, K., Plecas, D., Squires, C., & McLandress, K. (2012).  Pre-charge Restorative Justice and its effect on repeat and adult offenders.  Presented at the 22nd International Police Executive Symposium, United Nations, New York, New York. 
  • Squires, C., (2012). Book Review:  Good boss, bad boss: How to be the best. . . and learn from the worst.  Police Practice and Research:  An International Journal 13(5): 464-465. 

Awards & Honors

  • Queen's Platinum Jubilee Medal for service to community (20220. Awarded by MP Ed Fast in Abbotsford BC.
  • University of the Fraser Valley:  Dr. H. A. Bassford Endowment Scholarship winner (2012)
  • Paul Harris Fellow: awarded by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International, nominated by the Abbotsford Rotary Club for achievements in restorative justice (2010)

Affiliations & Memberships

  • Canadian Criminal Justice Association (member)
  • Family Mediation Canada (member)

  • SOCI 380 Criminology and Justice