Province releases Safer Communities Action Plan, new ‘bail policy’ comes into effect

Premier David Eby has launched a new plan to strengthen enforcement to keep those who commit repeat violent offences off the streets. This comes following requests from RCC, retailers, and urban mayors (last April when Eby was Attorney-General) and significant discussions about community safety during B.C.’s local election campaigns this Fall. It also follows an export report by Doug LePard and Amanda Butler to which RCC made both a written and oral submission.

New “repeat violent offender co-ordinated response teams” will be created. These are comprised of police officers, dedicated prosecutors, probation officers, and correctional supervisors who will share information and monitor high-risk repeat offender cases through the criminal justice system.

Attorney-General Murray Rankin has also issued a new bail policy – a directive to the B.C. Prosecution Service to seek detention for repeat violent offenders which will take effect today, Tuesday, November 22, 2022). Finally, legislation on unexplained wealth orders (to address images of fast cars, fancy homes and luxury goods), based on lessons from other jurisdictions, will be introduced in Spring 2023.