Goals, Objectives, Strategies and Results

The Ministry's Goals and their Linkage to the Five Great Goals

The strategic direction of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General is aligned with the five great goals of government. Examples of how the ministry supports the achievement of these goals are identified below, along with linkages to the ministry's objectives presented in the tables that follow.

To make B.C. the best educated, most literate jurisdiction on the continent

• Support of anti-bullying and anti-crime education through community awareness programs and partnerships with police (Objective 1.4)
• Continued development of skill-based training programs and community work projects to provide education and job-related experience to offenders to facilitate their re-integration into the community (Objective 1.7)

To strive to improve public health care and lead the way in North America in healthy living and physical fitness

• Contribution to the maintenance of safe and healthy communities through better community policing (Objectives 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3), more effective crime prevention (Objective 1.4), effective emergency planning (Objectives 2.1 and 2.4), and increased road safety (Objective 2.3)

To build the best system of support in Canada for persons with disabilities, special needs, children at risk and seniors

• Continued improvement of the timely delivery of Victim Services Programs to reduce the impact of crime (Objective 1.5)
• Completion of special reviews on issues affecting child safety and the prevention of child death (Objective 2.2)
• Continued enhancement of problem gambling support programs (Objective 3.3)

To lead the world in sustainable environmental management, with the best air and water quality, and the best fisheries management, bar none

• Development and implementation of mitigation strategies for environmental hazards through partnerships with communities and other ministries (Objectives 2.1 and 2.4)

To create more jobs per capita than anywhere else in Canada

• Enhancement of public safety and confidence through effective policing, crime prevention, corrections and emergency planning (Objectives 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.6, 1.7, 2.1, 2.2 and 2.4)
• Protection of consumers through appropriate liquor control and licensing, gaming regulation, regulation of the private security industry, and film classification and regulation (Objectives 2.5, 2.6, 3.1, 3.2, 3.4 and 3.5)

The following diagram shows how the ministry's 2005/06 restated budget is allocated according to the three ministry-level goals identified in the previous tables. As the ministry goals require resources from more than one core business area, this expenditure breakdown is an estimate.

Protecting citizens and communities from crime is a central commitment of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General that is supported by the Policing and Community Safety Branch and the Corrections Branch.

Adequate levels of police services are required to protect citizens and communities from crime and to respond to the changing nature of crime, including increases in organized crime across community, provincial and national boundaries and its expansion into all forms of criminal activity.

Key strategies intended to ensure adequate levels of police services across the province are to restructure police financing, support the integration of existing police services, increase the number of officers in the Provincial Police Service (PPS), and review the Police Act and the Provincial Standards for Municipal Police Departments in British Columbia. These initiatives will ensure that police services are delivered in the most effective and efficient way possible, avoiding duplication and yielding economies of scale in protecting the public. Another strategy is to implement new policing initiatives that will increase the ministry's capacity in such areas as supporting organized crime prosecutions, responding to high-tech crime, and combating Internet-based child exploitation.

The ministry will also continue efforts to negotiate new Community Tripartite (policing) Agreements (CTAs) with First Nations and the federal government.⁶ Additional CTAs are required to ensure that First Nations communities have police service levels equivalent to those of similar non-First Nations communities. Under these agreements, First Nations receive dedicated police members to work with their communities. Best efforts are made for these positions to be staffed by Aboriginal officers.

To indicate progress toward achieving the objective of adequate levels of police services, the ministry monitors the number of police officers in the PPS, the number of new policing initiatives implemented and integration projects completed, and the number of First Nations Policing Program members.

A common records management system for all police agencies enhances their effectiveness by allowing them to share information across the province. To achieve this objective, the ministry will continue implementation of the Police Records Information Management Environment (PRIME), an online data-sharing system that provides up-to-the-minute information about criminals and crimes, improving law enforcement across the province.

The percentage of the population covered by police agencies using PRIME is monitored to demonstrate progress in this area.

Another key objective is the maintenance of protective programs to enhance public safety. A key strategy linked to this objective is efficiently maintaining the Protection Order Registry (POR), a confidential database containing all civil and criminal protection orders issued in British Columbia.⁷ The goal of the registry is to contribute to the reduction of violence against vulnerable adults, youth and children through support of the enforcement of civil and criminal protection orders.

Conducting criminal record checks on individuals who work with children, as defined under the Criminal Records Review Act, is another strategy designed to meet the above objective. Criminal record checks are conducted to help protect children from physical and sexual abuse. They are made mandatory under the Act for anyone who works with children or who has unsupervised access to children in the ordinary course of employment, or in the practice of an occupation, and who is employed by, licensed by or receives operating funds from the provincial government.

To indicate efficiency in delivering protective programs, the ministry monitors the number of business days for criminal record checks to be completed and the percentage of protection orders entered within 24 hours of receipt.

Research indicates that communities can become safer if they actively engage in programs designed to reduce the incidence of crime and repair the harm caused by criminal behaviour. The ministry therefore continues to provide funding and support to community-based crime prevention and restorative justice programs, and to work with stakeholders to promote awareness of and collaborative approaches to community safety and crime prevention.

To indicate progress toward achieving the above objective, the ministry monitors the number of Community Accountability Program (CAP) start-up grants awarded. CAPs are community-based restorative justice programs designed to divert low-risk offenders from the traditional justice system while holding offenders accountable for their actions and repairing relationships harmed by criminal behaviour. The ministry also monitors the number of community-based, youth crime, violence, bullying, and sexual exploitation projects funded to indicate levels of support to schools and communities in working toward enhancing community safety.

Victims of crime require a range of supports and services as they participate in the justice system. Key strategies designed to meet the objective of timely information, assistance and support to reduce the impact of crime include: offering information, referrals and practical support to victims of crime and their families through victim service programs; administering the Crime Victim Assistance Act and Program to ensure that victims have access to financial assistance and other benefits; notifying impacted victims of end-of-sentence release of identified offenders; providing training and support to victim service workers; and increasing public awareness of the services available to victims of crime.

To indicate performance in this area, the ministry monitors the percentage increase in the number of victims, family members and others who receive victim services, and the average time to adjudicate claims for financial assistance for victims and others impacted by violent crime.

A key objective of the ministry is to ensure that offenders are supervised and managed based on their risk to re-offend. To effectively and efficiently supervise offenders while they are under court orders, and to achieve reductions in re-offending behaviour over the long term, it is critical to understand the risk an offender poses to society and how that risk can best be addressed. More than 20 years of correctional research have resulted in the development of standardized, validated risk/needs assessment tools that can reliably provide this information. To achieve the above objective, the ministry conducts offender risk/needs assessments to determine appropriate supervision, and monitors the percentage of offenders for whom risk/needs assessments have been conducted.

Risk/needs assessments are also used to establish case management plans to address a number of dynamic risk factors that are associated with re-offending behaviour (e.g., substance abuse). Correctional research has confirmed that providing programs that target these factors among higher-risk offenders can reduce re-offending behaviour. Another key strategy of the ministry is to develop and deliver core programs to offenders according to their case management plans.⁹

The ministry monitors the percentage of offenders successfully completing core programs to provide information on the short-term outcome of these programs. It is critical for offenders to attend and complete the programming designed to assist them in addressing their criminal behaviour.

The percentage of offenders who do not re-offend for two years following corrections supervision is also tracked to indicate the overall effectiveness of the justice system in deterring and rehabilitating adult offenders. However, criminal behaviour is a highly complex phenomenon involving many different individual and socio-economic factors and success in reducing it is therefore not under the exclusive control of any one ministry. Reduction in re-offending behaviour is a multifaceted outcome that involves all components of the justice system as well as many other aspects of government (such as health, education and social services) and factors that are external to government control.

A second important goal of the ministry is enhanced public safety through protective and regulatory programs delivered by the Provincial Emergency Program, the Policing and Community Safety Branch, the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, the Office of the Fire Commissioner, the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch and the Liquor Control and Licensing Branch.

A significant objective of the ministry is reduced harm caused by disasters and emergencies. Key strategies to achieve this objective include: providing leadership to the provincial emergency structure during emergencies and disasters; improving capacity to prepare for, respond to and recover from emergencies and disasters, including implementation of the Filmon recommendations resulting from the 'Firestorm 2003' review; and assisting local governments and First Nations communities in preparing for emergencies and disasters through technical support, training and education.

To indicate response capacity, the ministry tracks the number of Temporary Emergency Assignment Management System (TEAMS) members ready for deployment in an emergency. This system was initiated to improve the province's emergency response capacity. TEAMS members are selected from across all ministries and provided with training in emergency management.

The Coroners Service investigates all sudden and unexpected, unexplained or unattended deaths, makes recommendations to improve public safety through preventative measures, and helps people deal with the trauma of death through provision of timely and accurate information. To most effectively improve public safety and assist the public, coroners' cases must be completed in a timely fashion and be based on current and consistent information. Key strategies to achieve that objective include: redesigning the Coroners Case Management System (TOSCA); providing ongoing training to all coroners; providing coroners with electronic access to field investigation protocols; and conducting a feasibility study on development of a Centre for Excellence for Forensic Sciences.

To indicate performance in this area, the ministry monitors the percentage of coroners' files that are completed within four months.

In 2000, British Columbia endorsed the national Road Safety Vision 2010 and while agencies continue to develop and implement initiatives to increase road safety, a strategic plan with defined and measurable actions is needed to facilitate a coordinated approach.

A key strategy of the ministry is to work with the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC) and the Ministry of Transportation to develop and implement a long-term strategic road safety plan for the province in consultation with government and non-government stakeholders, including strategic actions to achieve provincial and national goals.

The ministry tracks milestones in developing and implementing the new safety plan, and will monitor changes in the serious injury and fatalities rate.¹⁰

An important objective of the ministry is the promotion of fire prevention, life safety and property protection programs through the Office of the Fire Commissioner. Key to successfully achieving that objective is the work of the Local Assistants to the Fire Commissioner (LAFCs) and the maintenance of strong working relationships with local governments, fire service organizations and other jurisdictions. Therefore, the office provides regular training for LAFCs to ensure they maintain their knowledge of the Fire Code and related policies. Additionally, the office has re-committed to enhancing its partnership relations with key stakeholder groups to fill a number of service gaps, achieve higher levels of coordination between local fire departments and, at the same time, inform amendments to the Fire Services Act.

The ministry monitors the number of LAFCs receiving training during the year, and the number of partnership projects established with local governments and other jurisdictions and organizations.

Reduced incidence of illegal gambling is an important objective of the ministry and a key strategy to achieve the objective is to fully implement the Illegal Gambling Strategy, including: fully operationalizing the Integrated Illegal Gambling Enforcement Team, composed of RCMP and ministry investigators; implementing a ticket violation program for gaming offences to reduce unnecessary court time; working with the RCMP and other law enforcement agencies to better identify and prosecute offenders; operationalizing a decision-making framework for investigations; and developing a policy framework for Internet gaming.

To assess progress toward reduced incidence of illegal gambling, the ministry is establishing a baseline incidence rate of reported illegal gambling and will monitor changes in that rate.

Liquor industry members have a legal responsibility to minimize harm to their customers and to any individual or community affected by the consumption of liquor in their establishments. Key strategies designed to achieve the objective of improved industry cooperation to reduce problems associated with liquor misuse include: creating tools to identify high-risk establishments in consultation with local governments, police, schools and licensees; targeting inspection resources on high-risk establishments and focusing inspections and investigations on service to minors, over-service, overcrowding and illicit alcohol; strengthening server training components relating to service to minors and over-service; and streamlining enforcement processes.

To indicate performance in this area the ministry tracks the percentage of licensees found to be in compliance when inspections or investigations are conducted and, in cases of non-compliance, the length of time to reach an enforcement decision or waiver.

The ministry also ensures that public interests are safeguarded through regulatory programs delivered through the Policing and Community Safety, Gaming Policy and Enforcement, and Liquor Control and Licensing Branches, and the Film Classification Office.

Effective regulation of the private security industry is another important objective of the ministry, and key strategies linked to this objective include conducting inspections of private security agencies, and continuing consultation on enhanced legislation governing the private security industry.

While a large segment of the security industry is covered by the current Private Investigators and Security Agencies Act, there are areas that remain unregulated. The ministry is reviewing the legislation to determine how the protection of public interests can best be enhanced.

The number of security industry inspections is monitored by the ministry.

It is in the public interest that gaming is conducted within a strong regulatory framework that balances economic activity with the responsible management and delivery of gaming. Key strategies linked to that objective include: evaluating grant and licensing policies, including the effectiveness of community organizations' access to gaming revenue; continuing to develop, implement and enforce public interest standards; and fully implementing an audit and compliance framework that includes allocating resources based on sound risk management principles, monitoring B.C. Lottery Corporation's compliance with provincial requirements regarding the conduct and management of commercial gaming, auditing licensed gaming events and use of gaming proceeds, and delivering educational programs to increase compliance with gaming legislation and policies.

To assess performance in this area, the ministry tracks the percentage of gaming fund recipients audited, and the percentage of those audited who are found to be in compliance.

The continued development and implementation of the Responsible Gambling Strategy is designed to reduce the harmful impacts of excessive gambling and encourage responsible gambling practices and healthy choices. Key strategies include: increasing emphasis and efforts in prevention, research and evaluation; fully developing the Partnership for Responsible Gambling by establishing responsibilities of local governments, service providers and other major stakeholders; reviewing service delivery and contract management of province-wide problem gambling treatment and prevention services; and increasing awareness of the responsible gambling initiatives and treatment services available to those with a gambling problem.

The ministry monitors progress toward achieving milestones in implementation of the Responsible Gambling Strategy.

The ministry works with communities to ensure that new liquor-primary licences issued reflect public interests. Key strategies include: providing local governments/First Nations with community health indicators to facilitate more effective assessment of licence applications; setting terms and conditions for hours, size and entertainment that are consistent with community standards; and streamlining licensing processes.

The ministry monitors the percentage of local governments/First Nations providing input on liquor-primary licence applications to indicate levels of local participation in liquor control decisions. Time to acquire a liquor-primary licence is also tracked to indicate success in streamlining licensing processes. Streamlined licensing processes allow resources to be focused on providing local governments/First Nations with the information they need to effectively review and provide input on applications.

In conjunction with the other provinces, British Columbia has developed a comprehensive plan on ways to modernize Canada's film classification regime to reflect new trends in film and video game markets and to improve service delivery to consumer and industry clients. The film classification plan recommends harmonizing statutory powers and standards as interim steps towards a more uniform and consistent film classification system across Canada. This will also create efficiencies by minimizing the duplication of services.

The national plan also recommends that a common set of guidelines be developed to improve consistency across the provinces in terms of interpretation and application of ratings on the same film titles. It was also recognized that harmonized standards lend greater consumer awareness to the classification process and provide greater continuity to both the industry and consumers for the classification of any title.

Key strategies linked to the above objective include: recommending standard classification for presentation to provincial ministers; working with other provinces and the industry to develop enabling legislation and/or regulations to recognize common classification standards and enable consolidation of services; and developing contracts to consolidate services for each of these areas and eliminate overlap.

The ministry monitors milestones in achieving changes to classification regulations.