MINISTRY OF ATTORNEY GENERAL
The mission of the Ministry of Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations is to promote the safety and security of communities (in cooperation with the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General); administer an independent, impartial and accessible justice system; facilitate the timely, fair and lasting resolution of civil legal disputes (including family); provide high-quality legal services to government; and, through negotiation, achieve reconciliation with the First Nations of British Columbia and legal certainty over the ownership and use of Crown land and resources in British Columbia.
MINISTRY SUMMARY
($000)
		Estimates 2003/041		Estimates 2004/05
VOTED APPROPRIATIONS
Vote 11 — Ministry Operations		381,458		370,749
Vote 12 — Treaty Negotiations Office		34,904		28,904
Vote 13 — Judiciary		51,664		51,771
Vote 14 — Crown Proceeding Act		28,700		27,500
Vote 15 — British Columbia Utilities Commission		1		1
STATUTORY APPROPRIATIONS
Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Special Account		17,351		17,392
Less: Transfer from Ministry Operations Vote		(6,497)		(6,950)
OPERATING EXPENSE		507,581		489,367
PREPAID CAPITAL ADVANCES 2		—		—
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES 3		10,033		9,083
LOANS, INVESTMENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS 4		17,589		16,967
REVENUE COLLECTED FOR, AND TRANSFERRED TO, OTHER ENTITIES 5		—		—
FULLTIME EQUIVALENT (FTE) EMPLOYMENT 6		3,486		3,482

NOTES
1		For comparative purposes only, figures shown for 2003/04 expense, FTEs and capital expenditures have been restated to be consistent with the    presentation of the 2004/05 Estimates.  Schedule A presents a detailed reconciliation.
2		Details of prepaid capital advances are presented in Schedule C.
3		Details of capital expenditures are presented in Schedule D.
4		Details of loans, investments and other requirements are presented in Schedule E.
5		Details of revenue collected for, and transferred to, other entities are presented in Schedule F.
6		Details of FTEs are presented in Schedule G.

 

CORE BUSINESS SUMMARY
$000
		2003/04		2004/05 ESTIMATES
OPERATING EXPENSE		Net		Gross		External Recoveries		Net
Core Business
Court Services		135,297		136,035		(1,782)		134,253
Legal Services		15,570		15,735		(731)		15,004
Prosecution Services		79,331		77,952		—		77,952
Justice Services.		91,241		85,182		(1,830)		83,352
Executive and Support Services		60,019		60,571		(383)		60,188
Treaty Negotiations Office		34,904		29,734		(830)		28,904
Judiciary		51,664		51,771		—		51,771
Crown Proceeding Act		28,700		27,500		—		27,500
British Columbia Utilities Commission		1		4,678		(4,677)		1
Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia		10,854		12,537		(2,095)		10,442
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE		507,581		501,695		(12,328)		489,367
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES		Net		Disbursements		Receipts		Net
Core Business
Court Services		3,999		4,135		—		4,135
Legal Services		23		23		—		23
Prosecution Services		1,990		2,255		—		2,255
Justice Services		360		260		—		260
Executive and Support Services		1,978		871		—		871
Treaty Negotiations Office		3		331		—		331
Judiciary		581		402		—		402
British Columbia Utilities Commission		210		12		—		12
Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia		889		794		—		794
TOTAL CAPITAL EXPENDITURES		10,033		9,083		—		9,083
LOANS, INVESTMENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS		Net		Disbursements		Receipts		Net
Core Business
Executive and Support Services		—		700		(700)		—
Treaty Negotiations Office		17,589		16,967		—		16,967
TOTAL LOANS, INVESTMENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS		17,589		17,667		(700)		16,967

 

OPERATING EXPENSE BY CORE BUSINESS
$000
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
VOTE 11  —  MINISTRY OPERATIONS
This vote provides for ministry programs and operations described in the voted appropriations under the following five core businesses:Court Services, Legal Services, Prosecution Services, Justice Services, and Executive and Support Services.
COURT SERVICES
Voted Appropriations
Registry and Trial Support		105,100		104,117
Security and Escorts		30,197		30,136
		135,297		134,253
Voted Appropriations Description:  This sub-vote provides for court registry operations, court administration, prisoner escort and court security support to the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and Provincial Court. Recoveries are received from the federal and municipal governments for costs related to ticket enforcement and circuit courts, and from litigants for costs associated with court services support.
LEGAL SERVICES
Voted Appropriation
Legal Services		15,570		15,004
Voted Appropriation Description:  This sub-vote provides for legal and related services to the province and various agencies, boards, commissions and other organizations, including legal advice, representation in civil litigation, and drafting, preparing, filing and publishing statutes, regulations and Orders in Council. This sub-vote also provides for administration of Orders in Council and appeals to the Executive Council. Recoveries are received from ministries, agencies, boards, commissions, and other organizations for legal and related services provided.
PROSECUTION SERVICES
Voted Appropriation
Prosecution Services		79,331		77,952
Voted Appropriation Description:  This sub-vote provides for the operation of Crown counsel services, including approval and conduct of criminal prosecutions and appeals of offences, advice to government on all criminal law matters, and responsibility for all other matters mandated by the Crown Counsel Act. Recoveries are received from the Victims of Crime Special Account to enable compliance with the Victims of Crime Act.
JUSTICE SERVICES
Voted Appropriation
Justice Services		91,241		83,352
Voted Appropriation Description:  This sub-vote provides for the administration and management of justice services throughout the province, including legal aid and other publicly-funded legal counsel services; access to justice services; maintenance enforcement and inter-jurisdictional reciprocal order services; alternative-to-court dispute resolution services for separating and divorcing parents and their children; parenting after separation programs; supervised access services; developing and promoting non-adversarial dispute resolution options within the justice system and throughout the government; and public legal education and information. Recoveries are received from the Ministry of Children and Family Development for mediation services relating to child protection, from family maintenance enforcement clients for costs incurred, from recipients of publicly-funded legal counsel services, and from the federal government for family justice services initiatives projects.
EXECUTIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
Voted Appropriations
Minister's Office.		666		633
Corporate Services		46,548		45,223
Agencies, Boards and Commissions		12,805		14,332
		60,019		60,188
Voted Appropriations Description:  This sub-vote provides for:the office of the Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations, including salaries, benefits, allowances and operating expenses of the Attorney General and the minister's staff; executive direction of the ministry, including the Deputy Attorney General's office; management services, shared services and policy development for the Ministry of Attorney General and Minister Responsible for Treaty Negotiations, and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General; and the investigation of matters relating to the administration of the Correction Act and court services. It also provides for various agencies, boards and commissions under the jurisdiction of the Attorney General, and other initiatives sponsored by the Attorney General. The operations of the Public Guardian and Trustee are partially funded by this sub-vote. Recoveries are received from parties external to government for support services.
VOTE 11 — MINISTRY OPERATIONS		381,458		370,749

 

OPERATING EXPENSE BY CORE BUSINESS
$000
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
VOTE 12  —  TREATY NEGOTIATIONS OFFICE
This vote provides for programs and operations described in the voted appropriations under the Treaty Negotiations Office core business.
TREATY NEGOTIATIONS OFFICE
Voted Appropriations
Negotiations		20,203		17,158
Treaty Settlement and Implementation Costs.		4,701		4,704
Economic Development		10,000		7,042
		34,904		28,904
Voted Appropriations Description:  This sub-vote provides for strategic management and direction of the office, including the deputy minister's office; the province's participation in the negotiation of treaties and other arrangements with First Nations and the federal government, including consultation with third parties and others; treaty mandate and policy development; cross-government coordination of accommodation, reconciliation and treaty implementation initiatives; assistance to First Nations and others in respect of their participation in the treaty process; treaty related measures; the resolution of land and resource issues and the enhancement of First Nation involvement in economic development; and service planning, performance measurement, and support services for the above. This vote also provides for the settlement and implementation costs of treaty agreements that have been ratified by British Columbia, Canada and First Nations; payments to the McLeod Lake Indian Band under the McLeod Lake Indian Band Treaty Number 8 Adhesion and Settlement Agreement and for third party costs; and for initiatives to enable the acquisition of lands for treaty settlement purposes. Recoveries are received from the federal government for costs incurred pursuant to federal/provincial agreements.
VOTE 12 — TREATY NEGOTIATIONS OFFICE		34,904		28,904

 

OPERATING EXPENSE BY CORE BUSINESS
$000
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
VOTE 13  —  JUDICIARY
This vote provides for ministry programs and operations described in the voted appropriations under the Judiciary core business.
JUDICIARY
Voted Appropriations
Superior Courts.		11,977		12,114
Provincial Courts		39,687		39,657
		51,664		51,771
Voted Appropriations Description:  This sub-vote provides for administrative and support services for the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court located in the province and provides for the operational budget for the Provincial Court of British Columbia.
VOTE 13 — JUDICIARY		51,664		51,771

 

OPERATING EXPENSE BY CORE BUSINESS
$000
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
VOTE 14  —  CROWN PROCEEDING ACT
This vote provides for ministry expenditures described in the voted appropriation under the Crown Proceeding Act core business.
CROWN PROCEEDING ACT
Voted Appropriation
Crown Proceeding Act		28,700		27,500
Voted Appropriation Description:  This sub-vote provides for the payments made under the authority of the Crown Proceeding Act.
VOTE 14 — CROWN PROCEEDING ACT		28,700		27,500

 

OPERATING EXPENSE BY CORE BUSINESS
$000
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
VOTE 15  —  BRITISH COLUMBIA UTILITIES COMMISSION
This vote provides for the programs and operations described in the voted appropriation under the British Columbia Utilities Commission core business.
BRITISH COLUMBIA UTILITIES COMMISSION
Voted Appropriation
British Columbia Utilities Commission.		1		1
Voted Appropriation Description:  This sub-vote provides for the operation of the commission as outlined under the Utilities Commission Act.  Costs of the commission are fully recovered from regulated entities, hearing and project applicants, and others.
VOTE 15 — BRITISH COLUMBIA UTILITIES COMMISSION		1		1

 

OPERATING EXPENSE BY CORE BUSINESS
$000
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
STATUTORY  —  PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND TRUSTEE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
This statutory account provides for the programs and operations in the statutory appropriation under the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia core business.
PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND TRUSTEE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Statutory Appropriations
Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Special Account		17,351		17,392
Transfer from Ministry Operations Vote		(6,497)		(6,950)
		10,854		10,442
Statutory Appropriations Description:  This statutory appropriation provides for the Public Guardian and Trustee of British Columbia Special Account which is governed under the Public Trustee Amendment Act.
STATUTORY — PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND TRUSTEE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA SPECIAL ACCOUNT		17,351		17,392

 

MINISTRY GROUP ACCOUNT CLASSIFICATION SUMMARY
GROUP ACCOUNT CLASSIFICATION
Salaries and Benefits		255,164		257,469
Operating Costs		175,826		170,251
Government Transfers		102,079		88,879
Other Expenses		39,703		39,010
Internal Recoveries		(53,233)		(53,914)
External Recoveries		(11,958)		(12,328)
TOTAL OPERATING EXPENSE		507,581		489,367

 

 

SPECIAL ACCOUNT1
$000
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
PUBLIC GUARDIAN AND TRUSTEE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
The Public Guardian and Trustee operating account is established as a special account in the general fund of the consolidated revenue fund and is governed by Section 24 of the Public Guardian and Trustee Act.  The account's revenue sources are client fees, commissions and charges, and transfers from the Ministry Operations Vote.  Approved expenses provide for services to clients and program administration. Recoveries are also received from clients and parties external to government.
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
SPENDING AUTHORITY AVAILABLE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE FISCAL YEAR3		11,381		11,450
OPERATING TRANSACTIONS
Revenue		17,823		18,307
Expense		(18,945)		(19,487)
External Recoveries.		1,594		2,095
Net Revenue (Expense)		472		915
Difference Between 2003/04 Estimates and Projected Actual Net Revenue (Expense)		3
FINANCING TRANSACTIONS
Loans, Investments and Other Requirements
Receipts		—		—
Disbursements - Capital		(889)		(794)
Disbursements - Other		—		—
Net Cash Source (Requirement)		(889)		(794)
Working Capital Adjustments2.		483		652
PROJECTED SPENDING AUTHORITY AVAILABLE AT THE END OF THE FISCAL YEAR3		11,450		12,223

NOTES
1		A Special Account is an account in the General Fund where the authorization to spend money from the account is located in an Act other than the Supply Act.
2		Estimated adjustments include those adjustments that would change the cash balance of the Special Account.  This includes amortization expense, changes in accounts receivable and payable, and recognition of deferred revenues.
3		The Projected Spending Authority Available represents the cash and temporary investments projected to be available at the end of the fiscal year.  The Spending Authority Available at the beginning of the fiscal year 2003/04 is based on the 2002/03 Public Accounts.

 

LOANS, INVESTMENTS AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS BY CORE BUSINESS
$000
		Estimates 2003/04		Estimates 2004/05
EXECUTIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
INTEREST ON TRUSTS AND DEPOSITS — Interest earnings are credited (disbursed) to certain trust funds and deposits belonging to third parties, which are held by and are under the general administration or trusteeship of the province, on the basis of earnings received (receipts) from the investment of these funds or as specified by provincial statutes. Administration costs are funded through the ministry's voted appropriations.
Receipts		670		700
Disbursements		670		700
Net Cash Source (Requirement)		—		—
TREATY NEGOTIATIONS OFFICE
TREATY SETTLEMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION COSTS — Disbursements are made to First Nations in accordance with treaty agreements and for the implementation costs of the agreements. These disbursements are amortized over the period of the capital transfer identified in legislated treaty agreements. Land is also purchased and held for treaty settlement purposes. Amortization costs are included in the Treaty Negotiations Office Vote.
Receipts		—		—
Disbursements		17,589		16,967
Net Cash Source (Requirement)		(17,589)		(16,967)