Twelve Court Regions Become Five
Saturday, August 3, 2013 @ 4:29 AM
Victoria, B.C. – The number of court regions in B.C. is being consolidated to five from 12, a move that geographically aligns the regions with those used by other government agencies and that will improve court management.
The provincial government confirmed the change proposed by the Office of the Chief Judge by order-in-council. Chief Judge Thomas Crabtree is proposing the five regions be administered by a regional administrative judge, and until this new position is legislatively created, an associate chief judge has been designated for each region.
The new regions are:
- Vancouver Island Region – Judge Adrian Brooks
- Fraser Region – Judge Peder Gulbransen
- Vancouver Region – Judge Raymond Low
- Interior Region – Judge Robin Smith
In addition, Judge Michael Brecknell, who was appointed associate chief judge in 2010, was already in place. He administers the Northern Region.
An independent review recommended a clearer and modern governance structure for the justice system. As part of its response to the review the government committed to making legislative changes leading to greater transparency, managerial authority and overall accountability with the justice system. That included support for realignment of the regional organization of the provincial court regions.
Comments
So how does the funding model evolve with the new changes? One would assume some regions have more of a traveling road show between many more facilities requiring more infrastructure and staffing needs than other more urban regions.
The administration of justice is something every community should have equal access to in a law based democracy where everyone is afforded the same rights under the law.
If these administrative changes involve funding changes for smaller more remote communities, then that would appear to be problematic.
You wouldn’t suppose that these changes would bring an increase in funding for smaller, remote communities, would you?
No, not likey!
I doubt it. I think that typically the larger the region the less likely a small, unique component of the region will be served.
Take Haldi Road within the City for example.
Take Prince George within BC for example.
Take Manitoba within Canada for example.
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