Whereas between the years of 1999 and 2018, there have been 15 resolutions to UBCM from 11 local governments throughout BC, with 12 resolutions having been endorsed; And whereas Public Safety and Solicitor Generals community consultation process in 2018-2019 identified core and stable funding as the primary requirement for the success of restorative justice: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request core, stable provincial government funding of at least 50,000 per year to each provincially-recognized restorative justice program operating in BC for long-term professional administrative staff support.
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General This government is committed to enhancing the use of restorative justice RJ and we have been exploring opportunities to enhance its use across BC using a strategic, integrated, cross-sector approach. This work has included engaging with a broad range of stakeholders to promote greater collaboration and dialogue about RJ across the province. Based on feedback heard during these consultation sessions with key stakeholders, including community-based RJ programs, the ministry has revised the funding criteria for the Civil Forfeiture Crime Prevention and Remediation Grant Programs RJ stream so that it better meets the needs of RJ programs in BC. The ministry also increased to 30,000 the amount of one-time funding that RJ programs can apply for through the grant program. Through this program, the ministry provided over 950,000 to 33 RJ related projects in fiscal 20192020 including funding to support the Restorative Justice Association of BCs work to build its membership base and provide support and advocacy for RJ programs and services across the province. The ministry also currently supports community-based, volunteer-driven RJ programs through the Community Accountability Program CAP. There are currently 52 CAPs which accept approximately 1,061 referrals annually, primarily police-referred cases dealing with less serious crimes such as mischief and theft.