Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, has released the following statement about the Surrey policing transition:

Stable funding for sexual assault programs, as well as the establishment of new policing standards for responding to sexual assaults, will respect and support the diverse needs of survivors and ensure more effective investigations.

The Province is securing safety and providing certainty for people in Surrey and throughout British Columbia by directing the City of Surrey to move forward with the Surrey Police Service.

People in a mental-health or substance-use crisis will have the support of experts as new mobile, integrated-response teams are coming to nine communities throughout the province.

The Province is providing $1.6 million for a new campaign to help educate people about proper smoke-alarm use and reducing fire risks, which will save lives and protect first responders.

Survivors of gender-based violence throughout the province will soon have better access to critical services they need in times of crisis.

The Province is recommending the City of Surrey continue its transition to the Surrey Police Service, because it ensures public safety for people in Surrey and throughout British Columbia, while offering financial assistance to protect Surrey taxpayers.

The Province is helping keep people safe by creating hubs of police, dedicated prosecutors and probation officers focused on tackling repeat violent offending in every region of the province.