The B.C. government gave a $600,000 grant today to five municipalities to develop a long-term expansion plan for courtrooms for Lower Fraser Valley communities.

Minister of Justice and Attorney General Shirley Bond announced plans to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the Lower Fraser Valley Courts Regional Plan with mayors from the City of Abbotsford, City of Chilliwack, City of Langley, Township of Langley and the City of Surrey pending final council approvals.

The signing of this MOU is the start of creating a more coherent vision for future growth and will help maximize the Province's investments in B.C.'s justice system. The Lower Fraser Valley is one of the fastest growing regions in the province and this plan will be a key part of supporting future expansion of court facilities.

The plan will be a collaborative project between the five municipalities and the province. Abbotsford has been designated to administer the $600,000 grant from the Ministry of Citizens' Services and Open Government to identify courtroom expansion needs and solutions in the region. The plan will examine factors such as space and facility needs, increasing courtroom pressures and demands, and growing populations in each area.

Another $800,000 in operating funds and $400,000 in capital funds will also be invested in developing courthouse design guidelines and a business case for the recommended Lower Fraser Valley Courts Regional Plan projects once the study is complete. This funding will come from the ministries of Justice and Citizens' Services and Open Government.

The plan and its recommendations for addressing future courthouse requirements for the Lower Fraser Valley are expected to be completed by December 2013. Those recommendations will assist in shaping future court facility planning and a business case is expected to be developed by May 2014.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Justice and Attorney General -

"The Lower Fraser Valley is a rapidly expanding region with several fast-growing communities. This multi-community planning project will give us the information we need to meet the justice needs of the Lower Fraser Valley region."

"This project will guide future planning and investments as we consider increasing court capacity in the Lower Fraser Valley, and it will be based on the most accurate information possible. I want to thank the municipalities involved for their collaborative approach to this planning."

Ben Stewart, Minister of Citizens' Services and Open Government -

"Making prudent fiscal decisions, such as investing in this plan, will help ensure we're ready to meet the needs of a quickly growing and changing region - not just for tomorrow but for a generation."

Bruce Banman, mayor of

"Abbotsford is extremely honoured to be taking a lead role in this project. We look forward to collaborating with our municipal partners from Surrey, Chilliwack, Mission, the City and the Township of Langley as well as our partners with the Province in identifying court services options for the people of the Lower Fraser Valley."

Mike de Jong, Minister of Finance and MLA for Abbotsford West -

"This project represents a smart way to plan for the future needs of our communities and a smart way to determine where to invest our resources. Local involvement is an essential part of strengthening the region as we move forward with long-term plans to improve access to justice."

(flickr.com)

• The B.C. government invests about $1 billion annually in public safety and the justice system.

• B.C. currently has 45 staffed courthouses and 44 circuit courts.

• Abbotsford has a provincial court, Chilliwack has a provincial court as well as a Supreme Court, and Surrey has a provincial court. There is currently no court facility in Langley.

Learn More:

About the ministry's Court Services Branch: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/

About court locations in B.C.: www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/overview/locations/index.htm

About Shared Services BC: http://www.sharedservicesbc.gov.bc.ca/

Media Contact:

James Beresford
Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6423