Message from the Minister and
Accountability Statement

I am pleased to present the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 2006/07–2008/09 Service Plan. This document supports the government mandate and its five great goals as they relate to the health and public safety of British Columbians.

Every branch of the ministry is committed to protecting public safety. Ministry staff work each day to secure and enhance the safety of B.C.’s communities and residents.

Part of that commitment includes protecting the most vulnerable in our communities and that’s why we’re combating Internet child pornography and the sexual exploitation of children with specialized police teams, such as the Integrated Internet Child Exploitation Team and the Integrated Sexual Predator Observation Team. Future efforts will further protect children through enhanced criminal record checks for people who work with our youth.

The ministry’s portfolio includes a wide range of public safety programs, such as: law enforcement and corrections; crime prevention and victim services; emergency preparedness, response and recovery; coroners service; driver safety; fire prevention; consumer protection; and liquor and gaming regulation.

Our ministry also includes the Crystal Meth Secretariat which leads and coordinates cross government initiatives aimed at attacking the use and production of one of the most dangerous drugs on the street today — crystal meth. We’ve recently hosted a number of community forums and provided funding to help communities deal with this problem at the local level.

In December 2005, we hosted a Provincial Congress on Public Safety to strengthen partnerships with other levels of government and the public, and to find new and novel approaches to making our homes, streets, and neighborhoods as safe as possible.

And we have introduced civil forfeiture legislation, which will target organized crime and allow us to seize the profits of unlawful activity. We want to send a clear message that criminals in this province will not benefit from illegal activities.

I look forward to continuing to work with ministry staff to enhance the safety of all British Columbians.

The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General 2006/07–2008/09 Service Plan was prepared under my direction in accordance with the Budget Transparency and Accountability Act. I am accountable for the basis on which the plan has been prepared. All material fiscal assumptions and policy decisions as of February 8, 2006 have been considered in preparing the plan and I am accountable for achieving the specific objectives in the plan.

Honourable John Les
Solicitor General
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General

February 8, 2006