Ministry ofAttorney Generaland Ministry of Public Safety
and Solicitor General

2019/20 – 2021/22
SERVICE PLAN
February 2019

Minister Accountability Statement
The Ministry of Attorney General and Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor
General 2019/20 - 2021/22 Service Plan was prepared under my direction inaccordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. I am
accountable for the basis on which the plan has been prepared.

Honourable David Eby, QC
Attorney General
February 4, 2019

Minister Accountability Statement
The Ministry of Attorney General and Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor
General 2019/20 – 2021/22 Service Plan was prepared under my direction inaccordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. I am
accountable for the basis on which the plan has been prepared.

Honourable Mike Farnworth
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General
February 4, 2019

Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Purpose of the Ministries
The Ministry of Attorney General and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General work
together as the justice and public safety sector to advance a shared vision of a safe, secure, just andresilient British Columbia. The mission of the ministries is to administer justice, deliver public safety
services and programs, and provide legal advice to government.
The Ministry of Attorney General is responsible for the following program areas: administrative, civiland family justice services; sheriff and court administration services; family maintenanceenforcement; legal advice and services to government; legal aid; prosecution services; protection andpromotion of human rights; gambling regulation and enforcement, and problem gambling prevention
and treatment services; liquor and cannabis licensing, compliance and enforcement as well as
distribution; and investigation of complaints made by inmates at provincial correctional centres andprobationers supervised in the community.1
The areas of responsibility within the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General are: policing
and law enforcement; correctional services; crime prevention and reduction; victim services;
restorative justice; coroners services; civil forfeiture; cannabis legalization and regulation, including
enforcement against illegal cannabis sales; road safety; criminal record checks; private security
industry regulation; consumer protection; guide dog and service dog certification; emergency
management, including preparedness, mitigation/prevention, response and recovery; and fire
prevention and safety.2

Strategic Direction
The Government of British Columbia is putting people at the heart of decision-making by working to
make life more affordable, improve the services people count on, and build a strong, sustainableeconomy that works for everyone.
Over the past year, significant government investments in areas including housing, child care and theelimination of fees, such as Medical Service Premiums, have contributed to making life more
affordable for British Columbians today and into the future. Ministries are engaged in ongoing work
to improve the availability of services citizens rely on including those related to primary medical care,education and training, transportation, the opioid crisis and poverty.
A strong economy that works for all regions of B.C. is diversified, resilient and improves the standardof living for people across the province. With that in mind, government is focusing on sustainableeconomic growth that strengthens our natural resource sectors, continues the development of theemerging economy, supports small business and uses innovation and technology to solve B.C.
problems. A key priority in 2019/20 and beyond will be driving economic growth with cleaner energy
and fewer emissions. At the same time, ministries continue to build prudence into budgets and planfor challenges.
Underpinning the work of all ministries are two shared commitments: reconciliation with Indigenous
peoples and consideration of how diverse groups of British Columbians may experience our policies,
programs and initiatives. As part of these commitments, ministries are working to implement the
The Attorney General is also responsible for a number of agencies, boards, commissions and tribunals (see Appendix A).
The Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General is also responsible for several agencies and boards (see Appendix A)
and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia (see Appendix B).
1
2

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, the Truth and Reconciliation
Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, and Gender-Based Analysis+ policy and budgeting.
In July 2017, each minister was given a formal mandate letter that identifies both government-wide
and ministry-specific priorities for implementation.
This service plan outlines how the Ministry of Attorney General and the Ministry of Public Safety and
Solicitor General will continue to support government’s priorities, including the action items
identified in the Attorney General’s mandate letter and the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor
General’s mandate letter, as well as the key priorities of the Parliamentary Secretary for Emergency
Preparedness. Significant progress has been made on implementing these priorities and many havebeen substantially completed.
The Ministry of Attorney General has made progress on these priorities by:••••

Reforming campaign finance laws by banning political contributions from corporations andunions and setting limits on individual contributions. Bill 3, the Election Amendment Act,
2017, was given Royal Assent on November 30, 2017.
Introducing legislative amendments resulting in the Bill 50: Human Rights Code Amendment
Act, 2018, which received Royal Assent on November 27, 2018. The new Office of the Human
Rights Commissioner will be responsible for promoting and protecting human rights in B.C.
Introducing legislation to reform lobbying in B.C. The Lobbyists Registration Amendment Act,2017 received Royal Assent on November 30, 2017, and came into force on May 1, 2018.
Conducting a comprehensive operating review of the Insurance Corporation of British
Columbia (ICBC). In January 2018, the report from the review of ICBC was publicly released
and identified potential savings in addition to those that will result from ICBC product reform.
Progress has also been made to bring ICBC to financial sustainability and ensure rates are fair
and affordable; introducing legislation that provides for changes to ICBC’s insurance product;
specific provisions governing compensation for pain and suffering for minor injuries;
increasing managed care and enhancing accident benefits; and expanding jurisdiction of the
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) over minor vehicle accident claims. ICBC has also been
engaging the material damage industry to redesign and optimize its current vendor
management programs.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General made progress on government’s priorities by:••

Increasing funding to support women who experience domestic violence, sexual assault andother crimes to better meet the demand for programs and services such as counselling,outreach and crisis support. B.C. Budget 2018 provided for $5 million in increased annual
funding, starting in 2018/19, which will be further increased by an additional $3 million in
2020/21, for a total increase of $18 million over three years. The Province provides over $35
million in annual funding to support over 400 victim service and violence against women
programs across the province.
Leading the provincial government’s planning for the safe implementation of legalized, nonmedical cannabis. In May 2018, the Province passed legislation to provide for legal, controlled
access to non-medical cannabis in B.C., which came into force in October 2018. The Cannabis
Control and Licensing Act and the Cannabis Distribution Act are guided by the Province’s
priorities of protecting children and youth, promoting public health and safety, keeping the

2019/20 – 2021/22 Service Plan

2

Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General••criminal element out of cannabis, keeping B.C. roads safe and supporting economic
development.
Providing increased supports to disrupt illicit drug trafficking. The Pill Press and Related
Equipment Control Act came into force January 15, 2019. The Act aims to restrict ownership,possession, and use of equipment that can be used to make illicit drugs, such as automated pillpresses, gel cap machines and pharmaceutical mixers. It limits ownership to individuals andcorporations authorized under the legislation and sets out significant penalties for offences
committed in relation to controlled equipment and activities.
Completing Government’s Action Plan: Responding to Wildfire and Flood Risks in responseto the 108 recommendations in Addressing the New Normal: 21st Century Disaster
Management in British Columbia, a report from an independent review of the 2017 wildfire
and flood seasons. The plan outlines actions taken and underway and identifies next steps toaddress the recommendations, which include working in partnership with First Nations
governments and other partners to assess, prioritize and implement the recommendations. It
also signals B.C.’s adoption of the United Nations Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction, which aims for the substantial reduction of disaster risk and losses in lives,
livelihoods and health and in the economic, physical, social, cultural and environmental assetsof persons, businesses, communities and countries.

In addition to these accomplishments, during the past year the ministries continued to work in
partnership with Indigenous leadership and communities to further government’s commitment toreconciliation and to reducing the over-representation of Indigenous people in the justice and public
safety sector through a variety of initiatives, including:•••Holding two B.C. Justice Summits on Indigenous justice. The 10th and 11th Justice Summits
were jointly organized by the ministries and the B.C. Aboriginal Justice Council. For the firsttime in the province, justice and public safety sector leaders and Indigenous peoples came
together with the sole focus of considering Indigenous experiences with the justice system,
how to achieve reconciliation and finding pathways that will benefit Indigenous peoples andcommunities.
Increasing support of Gladue information and reporting. B.C. Budget 2018 provided additional
funding to support Gladue reporting, targeting the production of 250 to 300 reports in 2018/19,
through the Legal Services Society. Gladue information provides judges with comprehensive
information about an Indigenous offender’s circumstances as well as that of their community
during sentencing and parole hearings. Additionally, the Province and the B.C. AboriginalJustice Council hosted the Gladue Knowledge-Sharing Gathering in October 2018. National
leaders, subject matter experts and practitioners came together to discuss opportunities forinnovation, share best practices, and discuss practical Gladue process and principle
implementation strategies. Furthermore, communities across the province have been working
with the ministries and the Provincial Court judiciary to create Indigenous Courts, such as the
Prince George Indigenous Court which opened in March 2018. These courts provide
culturally-appropriate sentencing for Indigenous offenders by integrating Gladue principles
into the Provincial Court process.
Expanding emergency management support to First Nations communities, facilitated by a tenyear, bi-lateral agreement with Indigenous Services Canada. Emergency Management BC will
provide First Nations communities with the full range of emergency management services that

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General•

local authorities receive in relation to preparedness, mitigation/prevention, response andrecovery.
An Emergency Management Services Tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
between the First Nations Leadership Council, Indigenous Services Canada and the Province(Emergency Management BC and the BC Wildfire Service). The purpose of the MOU is toestablish a forum for collaborative, constructive and regular dialogue between the parties
regarding emergency management issues of mutual interest and concern.

The following performance plan outlines how the Ministry of Attorney General and the Ministry of
Public Safety and Solicitor General will continue to track progress on key mandate letter
commitments and other emerging government priorities.

Performance Planning
Goal 1:

The justice and public safety sector in British Columbia is fair

Fairness in the justice and public safety sector is bolstered by improving the public’s access to justice,including affordable, effective and lasting resolution of civil and family disputes, as well as criminal
legal proceedings.

Objective 1.1:

Increased access to justice

Key Strategies:
•
•
•
•
•

Develop an Access to Justice Framework and Action Plan that will be used to set policy, guidestrategic planning, establish funding priorities, promote collaboration among ministries,
partners and the public, and define outcomes for continuous improvement;
Improve and support legal aid programs and services for British Columbians;
Improve dispute resolution services for B.C. families;
Support the creation of an integrated network of independent community legal clinics toprovide family law and poverty law services, as well as other related services; andDeliver client-based, accessible and effective court services that people count on while
supporting the smooth operation and security of the Courts of British Columbia.

Performance Measure: Clients served
through Virtual Initial Needs
Determination (VIND)

2017/18
Baseline

2018/19
Forecast

1.1

2019/20
TargetNumber of client families served
through expansion of the VIND
4,097
4,200
4,303
program.1
1
Data Source: Family Justice Services Division, Ministry of Attorney General.

2020/21
Target2021/22
Target

4,405

4,508

Linking Performance Measure to Objective:
The VIND program provides initial needs determination (information, assessment and referral)
services to families experiencing separation and divorce. Expansion of the program will result in
improved timeliness and improved geographic reach to rural areas by increasing the number of clients
served by the program across B.C.

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Goal 2:
peopleThe justice and public safety sector in British Columbia protects

A key role of British Columbia’s justice and public safety sector is to protect people, especially those
who are most vulnerable.

Objective 2.1:
Improved outcomes for Indigenous people across the justice andpublic safety sector through strengthened partnerships with Indigenous
leadership and communities
Key Strategies:
•

•
•

•

•
•
•

Continue to build and improve existing partnerships to support engagement and reconciliation
with Indigenous peoples through implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commissionof Canada’s Calls to Action and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous
Peoples;Partner with Indigenous leadership to develop an Indigenous Justice Strategy to reduce theover-representation of Indigenous people involved in the justice and public safety sector;
Implement policies on bail and administration of justice offences which seek to address
disproportionate impacts upon accused persons from disadvantaged and vulnerable
communities to reduce the over-representation of Indigenous people in the criminal justicesystem without endangering public safety;
Provide evidence-based and culturally-appropriate programming in correctional centres andcreate memorandums of understanding with First Nations to support the successful
reintegration of Indigenous people being released from custody and/or under community
supervision who are returning to their communities;
Implement Intercultural Safety Training in the justice and public safety sector, targeting
contracted services, direct service providers and other ministry staff;
Provide comprehensive mortality data and analyses to the First Nations Health Authority andFirst Nations communities to inform community-based initiatives that reduce health and safety
risks and support wellness and safe communities; andPartner with First Nations communities to improve emergency management services andsupports through initiatives such as First Nations Regional Emergency Management
Partnership Tables.

Performance Measure: Letters ofintent to create memorandums ofunderstanding between B.C.
Corrections and First Nations
2.1aTotal number of letters of intent
to create memorandums ofunderstanding between B.C.
Corrections and First Nations to
support the successful
reintegration of Indigenous
people returning to theircommunity and/or remaining
connected to their community.1

2019/20 – 2021/22 Service Plan

2017/18
Baseline

2018/19
Forecast

2019/20
Target2020/21
Target2021/22
Target

1

4

6

8

10

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Data Source: Results for this measure are derived from the Corrections Branch, Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor
General. The forecast and target numbers are cumulative and therefore represent the total number of letters of intent tocreate memorandums of understanding, not the number of new letters in a given fiscal year.
1

Linking Performance Measure to Objective:
Supporting the successful reintegration of Indigenous people returning to their community and/or
remaining connected to their community contributes to the objective of creating better outcomes for
Indigenous people across the justice and public safety sector.
Performance Measure: Community
participation on First Nations
Emergency Management Partnership
Tables1

2017/18
Baseline

2018/19
Forecast

2019/20
Target2020/21
Target2021/22
Target2.1bPercentage of on-reserve First
Nations communities
participating on First Nations
N/A
42
50
60
65
Regional Emergency
Management Partnership Tables.2
1
Data Source: Emergency Management BC First Nations Coordination Unit.
2
Community participation will be varied through multiple forms of engagement, which could include partnership table
meetings, partnership table teleconference calls and in-community engagement specific to partnership table activities. The
goal of this definition of participation is to reflect the value of varied forms of participation by First Nations communities,
particularly those in remote locations.

Linking Performance Measure to Objective:
First Nations Emergency Management Regional Partnership Tables provide a venue for First Nations
and provincial agency emergency managers to meet in partnership on emergency management issues
and initiatives related to all phases of emergency management – planning and preparedness,
mitigation, response and recovery.

Objective 2.2:
Strengthened prevention, protection and support for victims ofcrime, and marginalized and vulnerable women and children
Key Strategies:
•
•
•
•
•

Continue to enhance the existing continuum of victim services and violence against women
programs across British Columbia to better support people who experience domestic violence,
sexual assault and other crimes;
Support domestic violence prevention and intervention measures, such as Domestic Violence
Units, Domestic Violence Courts, domestic violence programming in Corrections, and theProtection Order Registry;Support the Province’s participation in the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered
Indigenous Women and Girls, including operating a Family Information Liaison Unit withfederal funding to support family members during the Inquiry;
Conduct and report on B.C. Coroners Service death review panels that specifically explore
marginalized and vulnerable populations (e.g. panels on intimate partner violence, youth incare transitioning into adulthood, and First Nations youth and young adults); andDevelop a cross-sector curriculum on trauma-informed practice for the justice, public safety
and anti-violence community sectors to support personnel to: recognize and understand trauma

2019/20 – 2021/22 Service Plan

6

Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor Generaland its effects on victims and witnesses; understand how violence and abuse may shape
victims’ responses; assess their own practice with a trauma-informed lens; and incorporate
these learnings to reduce potential re-traumatization experienced by victims and witnesses
participating in the justice system.
Performance Measure: Timeliness ofVictim Financial Assistance claim
adjudication

2017/18
Baseline

2018/19
Forecast2

2019/20
Target2020/21
Target2021/22
Target

2.2

Average number of days to
adjudicate claims for financial
88
95
90
85
80
assistance from victims and others
impacted by violent crime1
1
Data Source: Results for this measure are derived from the Electronic Victim Information System, considering the dates
claims were received and the dates they were competed, as well as the cases that remain outstanding.
2
The increase in the forecast from the 2017/18 baseline results from an increase in the volume of applications.

Linking Performance Measure to Objective:
This measure indicates the level of client service and system efficiency in administering the Crime
Victim Assistance Program within the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General under the
Crime Victim Assistance Act.

Objective 2.3:

Improved public safety for all British Columbians

Key Strategies:
•

•
•
•
•
•

Address gang and gun violence in B.C. through a number of comprehensive, focused andsustained initiatives that build upon successes and bolster the Province’s response to gangs andguns in B.C. communities, including continued implementation of recommendations from the
Illegal Firearms Task Force;
Administer the Crime Prevention and Remediation Grant Program to provide one-timefunding to organizations from around the province to support community safety and crime
prevention related projects3;
Develop an integrated, cross-sector, strategic approach to enhancing the use of restorative
justice in B.C. and support the restorative justice community in delivering trauma-informed,
victim-centric restorative justice programs;
Continue to strengthen the ability of police to interdict the supply of illicit drugs in theprovince, targeting mid-level and high-level drug traffickers;
Implement initiatives to increase and improve the efficiency of traffic enforcement, with afocus on reducing high-risk driving behaviours (alcohol, drugs, speeding and distraction);
Implement and monitor the regulatory framework for non-medical cannabis, including
distribution and retail sales to allow adults safe, legal, controlled access to non-medicalcannabis, with public health and safety top of mind; andThrough this program, civil forfeiture grant funding is allocated to funding streams that align with government priority
areas, with streams chosen on an annual basis. British Columbia’s Civil Forfeiture Office works to remove the profits fromunlawful activity by taking away the proceeds and assets used in crime – with the vast majority of cases linked to drug,gang and organized crime – and reinvesting them in community safety and crime prevention programs.
3

2019/20 – 2021/22 Service Plan

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General•

Continue to enhance emergency management, consistent with adoption of the United Nations
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, through:o Implementation of Government’s Action Plan: Responding to Wildfire and Flood Risks;o Modernization of the Emergency Program Act and Emergency Support Services,
informed by an integrated, province-wide framework for disaster recovery; ando Development of a comprehensive recovery program that addresses legislative gaps andcritical recovery needs of local and First Nations governments.

Performance Measure: Policereported crime rates (Criminal Codeoffences per 1,000 persons)1

2017
Baseline2

2018
Forecast

2019
Target2020
Target2021
Target2.3a Violent crime rate3
11.0
10.8
10.6
10.3
10.0
2.3b Property crime rate4
48.1
50.3
49.1
47.8
46.6
2.3c Other crime rate5
15.0
15.2
14.9
14.5
14.1
2.3d Overall Criminal Code crime rate
74.2
76.4
74.5
72.6
70.8
1
Data Source: Criminal incident counts are obtained through the Uniform Crime Reporting Survey, administered by
Statistics Canada’s Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics, and population estimates are obtained through BC Stats. Crime
rates are based on all police-reported violent crime, property crime, and other offences, but do not include offences thatare traffic, drug, or federal-statute related.
2
The data are reported by calendar year. The most recent year for which data are available is 2017. The baseline rates havebeen updated since publication of the Ministry of Attorney General and Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
2018/19 – 2020/21 Service Plan based on updated data.
3
Violent offences include homicide, attempted murder, sexual and non-sexual assault, firearm offences, robbery, forcible
confinement or kidnapping, abduction, extortion, criminal harassment, uttering threats, threatening or harassing phone
calls, and other violent offences.
4
Property offences include the offence categories of theft, motor vehicle theft, possession of stolen property, trafficking instolen goods, identity theft, identity fraud, breaking and entering, arson, mischief, fraud, and other property offences.
5
Criminal Code offences which are not violent or property related are classified as “other” offences. These include but are
not limited to: counterfeiting, disturbing the peace and offences against the administration of justice.

Linking Performance Measure to Objective:
While government does not control crime rates and many factors influence them, crime prevention
and reduction are priorities of the justice and public safety sector and crime rates are tracked as anindicator of progress toward increased public safety for all British Columbians. Crime rates are abetter indicator of trends in crime than are the actual numbers of offences because the rates accountfor population differences.

Goal 3:

The justice and public safety sector in British Columbia is sustainable

The justice and public safety sector must be innovative and efficient to remain sustainable.

Objective 3.1:
Strengthened sustainability of the justice and public safety
sector to deliver accessible and effective programs and services
Key Strategies:••

Support the transition of responsibility for minor motor vehicle accident claim disputes to the
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT);
Reform the administrative justice sector in B.C. through technology, co-location and further
advancements;

2019/20 – 2021/22 Service Plan

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General•••

Implement innovative ways to move certain types of disputes out of courtrooms, such as the
CRT and the Immediate Roadside Prohibition program, so that court resources may bereserved for the most serious matters;
Lead a cross-ministry ICBC business transformation initiative, including changes to policy
and operational business delivery for ICBC; andWork across ministries and other levels of government to establish and maintain overall
provincial business continuity plans, including prioritization of critical infrastructure assets
and services that government relies on, and continuity of government operations to ensure aneffective command and control structure following an emergency or disaster.

Performance Measure: User satisfaction results for minor injury accident claims assessed by the
Civil Resolution Tribunal
This new performance measure for the CRT is in development. On April 1, 2019, the CRT willassume expanded jurisdiction over certain motor vehicle accident claims up to $50,000. This includes
making decisions relating to motor vehicle accidents – where there is disagreement between thecustomer and ICBC – including the entitlement to receive accident benefits, the classification of an
injury as a minor injury, and liability and quantum decisions for motor vehicle injury claims up to$50,000.
Linking Performance Measure to Objective:
This measure will track users’ experience of minor injury accident claims assessed by the CRT, which
result in fewer cases ending up in the court system. It is important to understand the user experienceas the sector continues to find innovative ways to move certain types of disputes out of courtrooms
and strengthen the sustainability of the sector.

Goal 4:
The justice and public safety sector in British Columbia has the
public’s confidence
Citizens must have confidence in the integrity and effectiveness of the justice and public safety sector
for it to function effectively and to ensure continued public participation and support.

Objective 4.1:
sectorIncreased public confidence in the justice and public safety

Key Strategies:•••

Re-establish an Office of the British Columbia Human Rights Commissioner, ensuring that itis efficient, effective and equipped to protect, promote and defend human rights in theprovince;
Continue to develop and implement British Columbia Provincial Policing Standards andevaluate the compliance of police with those standards;
In response to Dr. Peter German’s June 2018 Dirty Money report, continue to implement a
coordinated approach between government’s gambling regulator (the Gaming Policy and
Enforcement Branch), the British Columbia Lottery Corporation and police, to improve theresponse to money laundering of the proceeds of crime in B.C., and support Dr. German’s
secondary review focusing on the scale and scope of verifiable illicit activity within the realestate, luxury vehicle and horse racing sectors;

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General•••

Conduct independent Coroners Service investigations, inquests and death review panels into
unexpected deaths, including overdose deaths;
Maintain specialized regional emergency management partnership agreements with local
governments, cross-border arrangements, and agreements with key stakeholders aimed atenhancing B.C.’s emergency preparedness, response and recovery efforts for catastrophic or
emergency events; andIn collaboration with local governments and First Nations, lead training and exercise events insupport of Exercise Coastal Response 2021, which will be B.C.’s second full-scale earthquake
and tsunami response exercise, including real-time and simulated activities involving functions
such as emergency operations, logistics, medical care, public information, operational
communications, and care for the needs of those affected or displaced.

Performance Measure: Publicconfidence in the justice system, thecourts and police1

2013
Baseline

2018
Forecast

2019
Target2020
Target2021
Target4.1aPercentage of British Columbians
NOT
who have confidence in the
51
53
54
55
3
AVAILABLE
justice system and courts2
4.1b Percentage of British Columbians
NOT
who have confidence in the
74
76
77
78
AVAILABLE3
2
police1
Data Source: Statistics Canada General Social Survey (GSS) on Social Identity. Established in 1985, Statistics Canada’s
GSS program was designed as a series of independent, annual, cross-sectional surveys, each covering one topic in-depth.
The GSS on Social Identity is conducted every five years and includes questions on confidence in public institutions.
2
Includes those respondents who stated they had a great deal of confidence or some confidence. Responses of “don’t
know/not stated” are excluded from the calculation of percentages.
3
It is anticipated that results of the 2018 GSS on Social Identity will be released in late 2019.

Linking Performance Measure to Objective:
The ministries are tracking long-term trends in public confidence in the justice system, the courts andpolice as indicators of public confidence in the justice and public safety sector.

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Resource Summary: Ministry of Attorney General
Core Business Area

2018/19
Restated
Estimates1

2019/20
Estimates

2020/21Plan

2021/22
Plan

Operating Expenses ($000)
Justice Services

126,373

129,131129,013129,013

Prosecution Services

140,018

143,091

142,460

142,460

Court Services

112,653

115,865

115,382

115,382

Legal Services

26,46228,09827,795

27,795

Agencies, Boards, Commissions andother Tribunals

25,02230,76630,65530,655

Liquor and Cannabis Regulation

1

1

1

1

Gaming Policy and Enforcement

19,235

19,437

19,374

19,374

Executive and Support Services

22,03524,327

25,103

26,335

Judiciary

79,25480,98480,63880,638Crown Proceeding Act

24,50024,50024,50024,500Independent Investigations Office

8,756

9,400

9,366

9,366

0

0

0

0

584,309605,600

604,287

605,519

Public Guardian and Trustee
Operating Account
Total

Ministry Capital Expenditures (Consolidated Revenue Fund) ($000)
Agencies, Boards, Commissions andother Tribunals

10

10

10

10

Liquor and Cannabis Regulation

0

0

0

0

Executive and Support Services

4,619

5,093

4,627

4,627

Judiciary

570

570

570

570

Independent Investigations Office

0

0

0

0

Public Guardian and Trustee
Operating Account

363

363

363

363

5,562

6,036

5,570

5,570

Total

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Other Financing Transactions ($000)
Receipts

0

0

0

0

Disbursements

0

0

0

0

Total Net Cash Source(Requirements)

0

0

0

0

For comparative purposes, amounts shown for 2018/19 have been restated to be consistent with the presentation of the
2019/20 Estimates.
* Further information on program funding and vote recoveries is available in the Estimates and Supplement to the
Estimates.
1

Major Capital Projects: Ministry of Attorney General

Major Capital Projects (over $50 million)

Abbotsford Courthouse

Targeted
Completion
Date(Year)

Project Cost
to Dec 31,
2018($ millions)

2021

$39

Approved
Anticipated
Estimated Cost
Total Capitalto Complete
Cost of Project($ millions)($ millions)
$113

$152

Construction of a new 14-room courthouse in Abbotsford will add needed court capacity and address
recommendations in the Lower Fraser Valley Regional Plan Court Capacity Expansion Project Final Report.
The project is to be delivered as a public-private partnership, with the private partner providing the design,
construction, partial financing and facility maintenance for a 30-year period following construction.
Construction began in summer 2018 with project completion in 2021.1
The new courthouse will double the number of courtrooms available in the current facility and create over
1,000 jobs during the course of construction.
Note that the Ministry of Attorney General is the project lead for reporting purposes, while the project capital budget
resides with the Ministry of Citizens’ Services.
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2019/20 – 2021/22 Service Plan

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Resource Summary: Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General
Core Business Area

2018/19
Restated
Estimates1

2019/20
Estimates

2020/21Plan

2021/22
Plan

Operating Expenses ($000)
Corrections

244,206

250,648249,721249,724

Policing and Security

393,515

398,003397,889

397,889

Victim Services and Crime Prevention

48,87351,36954,58254,757

BC Coroners Service

16,41016,667

16,622

16,622RoadSafetyBC

13,355

16,192

16,133

16,133

Emergency Management BC

17,321

17,517

17,463

17,463

Executive and Support Services

19,887

20,493

20,437

20,437Emergency Program Act

14,72814,81914,80914,809Statutory Services2

16,281

14,796

14,796

14,796

784,576

800,504

802,452

802,630

Total

Ministry Capital Expenditures (Consolidated Revenue Fund) ($000)
Executive and Support Services
Total

13,554

12,05911,085

11,085

13,554

12,05911,085

11,085For comparative purposes, amounts shown for 2018/19 have been restated to be consistent with the presentation of the
2019/20 Estimates.
2
Statutory Services includes Civil Forfeiture Account, Corrections Work Program Account, Criminal Asset Management
Fund, and Victim Surcharge Special Account.
* Further information on program funding and vote recoveries is available in the Estimates and Supplement to the
Estimates.
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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Appendix A: Agencies, Boards, Commissions and Tribunals4
Ministry of Attorney General
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Attorney General’s BC Supreme Court Rules Committee
British Columbia Ferry Commission
BC Human Rights Tribunal
BC Lottery Corporation
British Columbia Review Board
British Columbia Utilities Commission
Building Code Appeal Board
Civil Resolution Tribunal
Community Care and Assisted Living Appeal Board
Employment Standards Tribunal
Environmental Appeal Board
Financial Services Tribunal
Forest Appeals Commission
Health Professions Review Board
Hospital Appeal Board
Independent Investigations Office of BC
Industry Training Appeal Board
Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
Investigation and Standards Office
Judicial Council of the Province of BC
Labour Relations Board
Legal Services Society
Liquor Distribution Branch
Mental Health Review Board
Notaries Public Board of Examiners
Oil and Gas Appeal Tribunal
Property Assessment Appeal Board
Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia
Safety Standards Appeal Board
Surface Rights Board

Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General• Consumer Protection BC• Motor Vehicle Sales Authority of British Columbia• Police Boards

4

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/justice/about-bcs-justice-system/crowns-agencies-boards-commissions

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Ministry of Attorney General
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General

Appendix B: Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British
Columbia
In 1999, the Organized Crime Agency of British Columbia (OCABC) was created as an independent
Designated Policing and Law Enforcement Unit under the Provincial Police Act.
In 2004, the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit – British Columbia (CFSEU-BC) was
developed in consultation with the provincial government as an initiative to integrate the OCABC, themunicipal police departments and the RCMP. The Board of Governance for the OCABC also acts as
the Board of Governance for the CFSEU-BC. The board is comprised of: the Deputy Commissioner
Pacific Region and Commanding Officer “E” Division RCMP; the President of the BC Association ofChiefs of Police; the President of the BC Association of Municipal Chiefs of Police; and the Chief
Constable of the Vancouver Police Department. The board determines the strategic direction of the
CFSEU-BC and ensures its operational priorities are aligned with the policing priorities for British
Columbia. The CFSEU-BC operates under the RCMP policies and procedures. Board members do notreceive any remuneration.
The Chief Officer in charge of the CFSEU-BC leads an executive team comprised of civilian
members in addition to regular RCMP and municipal officers seconded from across the province. The
CFSEU-BC Gang Enforcement Unit, Investigation Teams, and the Joint Illegal Gaming Investigation
Team are just a few of the teams that fall under the responsibility of the CFSEU-BC. Offices of the
CFSEU-BC are located in the Lower Mainland, Prince George, Kelowna and Victoria.
The mission of the CFSEU-BC is to facilitate the disruption and suppression of organized crime that
affects British Columbians. Its mandate is to investigate, prosecute, disrupt and suppress criminalorganizations, consistent with local, regional, national and international priorities. The CFSEU-BC
also supports other agencies by assisting in organized crime and major crime investigations. Moreinformation can be found at: www.cfseu.bc.ca.

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