Whereas the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General oversees the Community Safety and Crime Prevention Branch, Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division, Community Programs and thus the Community Accountability Program; And whereas the Minster of Public Safety and Solicitor General has spoken about, ... that its time to significantly broaden a restorative-justice system ... The Globe and Mail, July 30, 2017 and that restorative justice has been in operation in British Columbia since 1998; And whereas there has not been an increase in funds since 1998; And whereas restorative justice services are in some communities that are not part of the Community Accountability Program and are receiving restorative justice services and other communities that are part of the Community Accountability Program and no longer receive restorative justice services: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General undertake a province-wide review of restorative justice services with a focus on previously endorsed UBCM resolutions 2017-B89, 2016-B8, 2014-B5, 2013-B10, 2008-B4, 2007-B3, 2006-B10, 2003-B2, 2001-B10, 2000-B7, i.e. funding standards and training plus re-open the list for communities to become part of the Community Accountability Program and to increase the funds while identifying gaps ... to enact a province-wide restorative-justice system ... in British Columbia.
Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General The Government of British Columbia is committed to enhancing the use of Restorative Justice RJ in the province; however this work is going to take some time. Staff from across governments justice and public safety sector are working together to explore opportunities for enhancing RJ across B.C. using a strategic, integrated, cross-sector approach. The Ministry is committed to ensuring that the approach taken is community-driven and informed. Ministry staff are currently engaging with key partners in B.C.s RJ community, including Community Accountability Programs, to inform the development of potential opportunities for enhancing RJ in B.C. and to promote greater collaboration and dialogue about RJ. In addition to the stakeholder engagement processes currently underway, project staff have undertaken the following activities: - Established a cross-ministry working group to guide discussion to explore opportunities for enhancing RJ in B.C.; - Completed an extensive annotated bibliography and literature review; and - Completed a discussion paper that is guiding and informing consultations with restorative justice stakeholders and justice partners. The Ministry encourages organizations that deliver restorative justice programs to review the 201819 Crime Prevention and Remediation Grants call for proposals, in particular, the restorative justice stream.