Minister Of Justice Announces Changes To System
Monday, October 22, 2012 @ 2:14 PM
Kamloops – The first 10 steps toward transforming B.C.’s justice system were announced today by Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond, with projects aimed at reducing backlog, improving access to justice services and increasing transparency.
A Modern, Transparent Justice System is a white paper outlining government’s immediate action on recommendations made in an independent review of B.C.’s justice system by Geoffrey Cowper, released in August 2012. Part two of the white paper, to be released later, will have further actions including those taking into consideration the findings of the Missing Women Commission of Inquiry.
Based on extensive stakeholder consultation and input from the public, Cowper recommended a series of changes that government and the judiciary could make to improve timeliness, court administration and the experiences of victims. His review was called after government performed an internal government audit and released a green paper outlining challenges affecting transparency, efficiency and access in the justice system.
The white paper identifies that timeliness, transparency and balance are essential parts of effective justice and public confidence. The action plan, which lays the foundation for achieving sustainable reform, focuses on creating a new model of transparent governance and
reducing court delays through the use of evidence-based approaches.
Starting immediately, government will begin implementing the following 10 activities:
1. Establish a new governance structure, through a Justice and Public Safety Council, to set strategic direction and ensure co-ordination across the justice system.
2. Develop an annual Justice and Public Safety Plan that will set goals for the justice system and report publicly on performance measures.
3. Hold a regular Justice Summit, beginning March 2013, with justice system leaders to discuss the progress and direction of reforms.
4. Create better administrative management tools that will help enhance transparency and accountability within the system.
5. Transform justice information systems, beginning with the release of a Technology Strategy for Justice Information by spring 2013.
6. Construct a business intelligence system, starting with developing an Action Plan on Business Intelligence, that will help measure and report on how the system operates.
7. Create a costing methodology that considers the key cost drivers across the system and determines, in co-operation with the judiciary, the appropriate judicial complement for the Provincial Court.
8. Set performance measures that are relevant to the public and report on progress using tools like the Justice and Public Safety Plan and the JusticeBC data dashboard.
9. Reduce case backlogs and improve overall efficiency with a new court scheduling system, Crown file ownership, expansion of criminal duty counsel services, and an early resolution pilot project.
10. Streamline routine practices such as the way information flows from prosecutors to accused and their defence counsel, admission and discharges from corrections and workflow practices in courthouses to improve efficiency and service delivery.
Comments
Transparency? This word sure gets use alot lately. With all the privacy legislation, how can anything possibly be transparent?
Sounds like more hogwash to me.
Can we get a statement and figures as to how bad the system is now, and a timeline as to when it will be fixed, with all the supporting data.??
Implementing programs, that report on performance measures is fine, however we need to be able to relate these measures against what we are doing now, and the cost of both, the before and and after scenario’s
Personally I think that we should throw out all cases that have been seriously delayed, with the exception of serious criminal cases, and start over. This would give us the time and manpower to prosecute those cases that really count.
This Province is up to its ass in **Red Tape** and surrounded by alligators.
If we dont stop the passing of stupid laws, and implementing goofy programs, we are for all intents and purposes doomed to drown in a sea of Government rules and regulations, and laws.
**The corruption of a Government can be gauged by the number of laws that it passes**
Truer words were never spoken, Palopu.
Looks like one party is trying To look good for a change.. Nice try bond, but we are not that stupid to fall for the old….cut us off at the knees and tax us to death for three years (ps..HST is still in ) then spend like crazy in the last year trying to buy our votes.
one would think that these procedures would have been in place
The B.C.Liberals are a prime example of what happens when the same people/politicians keep getting elected over and over,year after year.
Shirley Bond is a fine example of someone who is used by her party to jump into a portfolio,any portfolio,whenever there is damage control to be done.
Blind loyalty can be a very dangerous thing.
Actually knowing anything about what you are doing in a particular cabinet position, is completely irrellevant…doing what you are told is everything.
Don’t look to see anything changing in the justice system until the people yanking the chains are gone.
That old elected once,…elected for life attitude will never provide good government.
It will make damn sure that nothing ever
changes.
We keep re-electing far too may politicians who spend their careers talking a lot, but accomplishing very little.
The system is a legal system that has nothing to do with truth or justice! Made by the lawyers for the lawyers!
The bottom feeding criminal lawyers are going to get more legal aid funding again! “my client’s instructions are to plead not guilty your honor” at least until the money runs out! Judges and Crown Counsel can be replaced by computers and the courthouse can be be turned into a residence for the mentally ill. The system is corrupt, inefficient and a money pit ! These 10 suggestions are just smoke and mirrors with no action. Justice is just a word the strong use to give the weak hope !
Establish, Develop, Hold, Create, Transform, etc.
“7. Create a costing methodology that considers the key cost drivers across the system and determines, in co-operation with the judiciary, the appropriate judicial complement for the Provincial Court.”
What the heck does this even mean ??
True Gofaster…and to hold on to power,they buy votes with handouts to anyone they think will support them at the ballot box.
And talk a lot.
People/voters hate change,so they simply keep voting for the same political opportunists over and over.
Even when they are getting very little for their money.
Majority governments promote projects that bring them financial and electoral support…not what is actually needed.
Independants who listen to their constituents and are held accountable would be better idea,but the party system makes damn sure they are held to a minimum at the back of the room, if they even get in the door.
The party system was designed by politicians to benefit politicians and to hold on to power.
The expensive mess we have now for government is the result of that.
The most significant reform that we could make is one that requires action at the federal level, namely putting an end to the insanity of the War on Drugs. This would result in a large reduction in the number of criminal cases clogging the courts as well as in search warrant applications. Unfortunately, the Harper government insists on persisting in this folly.
You are also right Boon…lawyers will never be a solution to the problems with the justice system…they ARE the problem!
The so called AG is not qualified for that position.
Bingo acrider54.
Problem is,I don’t think Bond’s qualifications had anything to do with her being appointed to the position.
Damage control and keeping the secrets likely had everything to do with it,however.
Comments for this article are closed.