Strategic Context

In setting ministry direction and priorities for the next three years, the planning process takes into account the strengths, opportunities and challenges that could influence intended outcomes, including risk identification and mitigation. This section describes key factors that have been considered in constructing the 2006/07–2008/09 Service Plan.

Strengths and Opportunities

• The ministry has a highly professional, knowledgeable and dedicated staff. The commitment, resiliency and innovativeness of its staff contribute to the ministry’s position as a leader in law and justice reform.
• The ministry’s problem solving culture, where innovation and collaboration are highly valued, has led to a willingness to embrace change and seek opportunities for improvement and to respond to external challenges.
• The ministry has strong working relationships and employs a collaborative approach with key stakeholders and colleagues within the justice system and in government. Trust, credibility and collaboration among justice system participants are essential in order to move forward with ministry goals including the law and justice reform agenda.
• British Columbia is a favoured destination for immigrants and temporary residents, including international students. Social and economic benefits from immigration and cultural diversity are realized throughout the province. Strong partnerships with local governments, the federal government, communities, and with agencies that serve immigrants strengthen the ability of all partners to support multiculturalism and anti racism and immigrant settlement initiatives.
• British Columbia has the highest percentage per capita of visible minorities in Canada. The province’s linguistic and cultural diversity forms a strong foundation from which to build a model of inclusivity for the world to experience during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

Challenges and Risks

• There is a continuing and growing public demand for greater public safety, including taking stronger action against property and violent crime.
• Increased policing has an impact on the rest of the justice system and affects the allocation of resources for other justice system initiatives.
• Rapid globalization and technological development affect the context in which government operates and are also changing the nature of crime. Technology assists the expansion of crime across national and international borders. Cyber and commercial crime is becoming a greater problem. Canada is among the top several countries targeted by international and organized crime networks; and British Columbia, by virtue of the size and location of its main port city, offers mobility and anonymity for some newer types of serious crime such as human trafficking.
• Criminal prosecutions, especially of organized crime cases, are becoming increasingly complex. They require analysis of large volumes of documents and technical evidence, greater use of expert witnesses and careful focusing of resources. As cases continue to grow in complexity, prosecution and court costs continue to increase.
• An increase in the number of large, complex cases for which publicly-funded legal representation is sought challenges the ministry’s ability to operate within budget.
• Civil litigation is becoming more complex and costly. An increasing number of civil cases involve novel issues of law and procedure, substantial amounts of evidence, utilization of technology, greater use of expert witnesses and multiple parties. Government is also affected when it is a party in complex civil litigation.
• The increasing cost and procedural complexity of civil litigation is inhibiting public access to the courts. If simple and affordable dispute resolution options are not available to the public, the credibility of the justice system will be eroded.
• An increasing number of married and common-law families are undergoing separation and/or divorce, placing a greater demand on family justice resources.
• Legal decisions on Charter of Rights and Freedoms issues could place additional obligations on the ministry and government.
• The ministry is only one of many participants in the justice system and does not, and should not, have full control or authority. Participants must act and make decisions independently and free from interference.
• Changing trends in country of origin have greatly increased the need for more English language training and settlement and adaptation services.
• Recently arrived immigrants in B.C. are experiencing lower rates of employment, lower initial earnings and a higher incidence of poverty than previous immigrant arrivals. There has also been a decline in official language ability in immigrants upon arrival, from 60 percent in 1999 to 50 percent in 2003.
• Incidents of racism and hate activity persist at the community level on an intermittent basis. The nature of these incidents creates pressures on the provincial government to demonstrate leadership in promoting multiculturalism and preventing racism.