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2005/06 – 2007/08 SERVICE PLAN
Ministry of Attorney General
Vision, Mission, Culture and Values
Vision
A province governed by the rule of law with an effective justice system serving all British Columbians
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The Rule of Law
The rule of law is a fundamental principle in a free and democratic society. It guarantees that law is supreme and that the exercise of public power requires a source in some legal rule. It shields individuals from arbitrary action. |
Mission
We are responsible in government for law reform, for the administration of justice and for seeing that public affairs are administered in accordance with the law.
Culture and Values
We are dynamic and innovative leaders in justice and public administration with the following values and operating principles.
- To be performance- and service-focused
- To honour members of the ministry and support them in their learning and development
- To act with professional integrity, independent from interference
- To be forthright and strategic
- To be collaborative and inclusive within the justice system and with the public that we serve
- To adhere to the core values of the British Columbia Public Service, namely integrity, accountability, responsibility, respect and fostering innovation in providing services
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Independence in the Justice System A free
and democratic society based on the rule of law requires a justice system where decisions
are made independently and free from interference. Justice system participants must act
according to law and policy without being improperly influenced from outside sources or
other participants in the system. Perhaps the clearest expression of independence is the
independence of judges, who must be free to adjudicate cases without interference. Similarly,
other participants in the justice system, such as police and Crown counsel, must also make
decisions free of interference or control by others. This independence ensures a fair
system. It operates for the benefit of society and not for the participating components of the
system
Equally, the justice system must serve the public interest and be open to public scrutiny
to ensure that it does indeed serve the public interest. Justice system components must work
together, recognizing the interdependence of the system without compromising the core principle of
independence. |
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