BC Premier Announces Steps To Overhaul Justice System
Newly appointed Justice Minister Shirley Bond during today’s announcement in Vancouver courtesy BC Gov Photos
Prince George, BC – Amid cries from the opposition party that BC’s justice system is failing, Premier Christy Clark is announcing steps to address the crisis…
Effective immediately, Attorney General and Solicitor General Shirley Bond becomes Justice Minister and A-G. Clark says the shift in responsibilities will allow Bond to put her full focus on efforts to reform BC’s justice system.
Critical to that reform, Bond has appointed the former chair of the Legal Services Society, Geoffrey Cowper, QC, to chair a review of the system. Cowper’s mandate will be to consult with the judiciary, Crown Counsel, the legal profession, police and others to look at challenges facing the BC system; identify top issues affecting access to timely justice; and offer up solutions.
"British Columbians expect and deserve a justice system that deals with matters in an efficient, timely and fair way," says Premier Clark. "The crime rate is dropping, but we’re still seeing increases in the number of cases delayed and stayed."
As Justice Minister, Bond will spearhead significant initiatives already underway across the policing and justice system, including: a new Family Law Act, an integrated planning secretariat across the ministries, a justice-system wide business intelligence project, and engagement with British Columbians on developing a new police strategy.
BC spends more than $1-billion dollars annually on its public safety and justice system. "A vital element of our reform initiative will be a dialogue with the judiciary about how we can make improvements and find efficiencies," says the new Justice Minister. "Government is one element of a system of interconnected and largely independent players. I know that working together, we can ensure the justice system is more transparent, more accessible, and more responsive for British Columbians."
As part of the changes in ministry responsibilities, responsibility for ICBC and the Public Sector Employers Council now falls to the Finance Minister and responsibility for both areas of liquor and gaming shifts to the Ministry of Energy and Mines.
Comments
Two days in jail and a 36 month probation just won’t do it.
“The crime rate is dropping, but we’re still seeing increases in the number of cases delayed and stayed.”
How is this possible, that we have less crime but more delays in trials? Surely nothing emphasises the failure of this Liberal Government in supporting a justice system than that statement from the person in charg. And what is her solution, study it some more and shift responsibilities around to make it appear that something is being done. It’s a shell game, that’s all.
The real focus of this government is in the other thing she said, if the excess verbage is removed. Clarke said, “A vital element of our reform initiative will be a dialogue … about how we can… find efficiencies.” That is the real focus, finding “efficiencies”, and that word is a Liberal code for saving money, not spending so much, cutting back, tightening the belt. That is her focus, not providing a properly functioning justice system.
Or here’s a wild concept – legalize pot (I don’t smoke pot so no self interest here), which frees up huge amounts of court and police time – problem solved. But we wouldn’t want to do that because it might put too many lawyers, cops and judges out of work. No, keep pot illegal, keep booze legal – makes sense to me.
The justice system is for all intents and purposes an old boys club. The defense lawyers(many of them paid on the pubic dime as court appointed) try to delay proceedings as long as possible in the hope that charges do get stayed and the judges allow it to happen.
All the lawyers have a hen party at the side of the court room while they wait their turn to tell the judge a lame reason why their client can’t be there or why it must be put off till another day…and the judges fold like a cheap tent.
After a family member’s house was broken into, I went to the court and watched the proceedings a couple of times, what a disappointment. For a simple B&E it took 11 appearances before the judge before the case was settled-slap on the wrist.
When I see the legal aid lawyers threatening to withdraw services, I throw up in my mouth a little. If for example they paid them a set amount per charge, regardless of the number of appearances it would act as a deterrent to dragging it out.
Anything Bond touches turns to Sh@t.. you think our legal system sucks now..wait till wonder shirley gets her paws on it..
Possibly we need more judges who will not allow lawyers to make frivilous delays. Some judges, lawyers know, expect the lawyers to be fully ready to get down to business when they get into court. They don’t put up with any dilly-dallying at all.
I really respect that.
Or here’s a wild concept – legalize pot (I don’t smoke pot so no self interest here), which frees up huge amounts of court and police time – problem solved. But we wouldn’t want to do that because it might put too many lawyers, cops and judges out of work. No, keep pot illegal, keep booze legal – makes sense to me.
What do you call a lawyer who failed to be appointed a judge?
A politician.
Laila Yuile laid out these problems years ago..Gordon Campbell and ALL the BC LIBERALS GUTTED the justice system, would someone wake up Christy Clark.
http://lailayuile.com/2012/02/08/never-underestimate-the-predictability-of-stupidity-part-ii/
http://lailayuile.com/2012/02/08/never-underestimate-the-predictability-of-stupidity-part-ii/
I’m thin’in if Minister Bond really wants this review by Mr. Cowpers to work, he’s gotta have a broad mandate to interview not only the judicial users, but he’s gonna have to have free rein to interview the front line workers that everybody seems to forget about. This includes courtwatch committees in the local communities, native courtworkers, the clerks the sheriffs the latter two who don’t have a vested interest but see how changes can be made to speed up the system, then maybe he’ll get a good overview of systemic changes that can be made. Things like video court in Fort St. James and Vanderhoof were huge savings in prisoner keep and escort costs alone. I’m thinking good changes are coming and I’m all for speeding up the process. Good for Minister Bond and Premier Clark, finally getting it working again. Gonna take time, but no time like the present.
Night Court…
Unlike some political parties who would not step up to the plate and make the right decision, all the while knowing the back lash that follows I congratulate the BC Liberals and Shirley Bond for once again taking the bull by the horns.
…”Overhaul the justice system”? Kinda like just give the old spark plugs a wipe and tell the customer that it has been “overhauled”. Politicians think the public are stupid. Well, are we?
“….for once again taking the bull by the horns”? It’s the bull that comes out of their horns we object to.
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