The Township of Esquimalt is joining B.C.’s bylaw adjudication program, becoming the first municipality in the Capital Region to take advantage of the program aimed at saving time and money for residents and local governments.

Under the program, municipal residents can dispute minor bylaw infractions through an independent adjudicator, instead of in a traditional courtroom.

The bylaw adjudication program is available to all municipalities throughout the province. Each jurisdiction signing onto the program determines which bylaws it would like included in the process. Esquimalt plans to use the system to enforce a wide range of minor bylaws that include: building, minor zoning, fire protection, business licence, solid waste, streets and traffic, commercial vehicle, animal control, fireworks, pesticide use, maintenance of property and nuisance.

As part of ongoing reform of the justice system, the B.C. government is increasing the number of alternative ways to resolve disputes, when appropriate, without requiring individuals to use the courts. Court alternatives help to reduce stress, shorten the time required to resolve disputes and ultimately cut costs for both the individual and taxpayer. By diverting matters from the courts, court resources can be appropriately focused on more serious matters.

With the addition of the Township of Esquimalt, 66 local governments are now using or developing the bylaw adjudication system.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

“It’s encouraging to see that Esquimalt is leading the way as the first municipality in the Capital Region to join the bylaw adjudication program. Our government is committed to improving access to justice, keeping cases out of court with innovative new programs, and finding more efficient ways to operate our courts. This program is a great example of that work.”

Township of Esquimalt Mayor Barbara Desjardins -

“The Township of Esquimalt is looking forward to implementing the bylaw dispute adjudication system, which we anticipate will provide more efficient, timely and just resolutions. This system takes minor bylaw disputes out of the courts, which saves time for both citizens and the township and results in a better use of taxpayer dollars.”

Quick Facts:

• Dispute adjudication issues range from parking tickets to dog licensing and minor zoning infractions.
• The City of North Vancouver, District of North Vancouver and District of West Vancouver were the first in B.C. to establish a bylaw adjudication system as part of a 2004 pilot project.
• Individual municipalities track the number of bylaws managed by the adjudication process, and have screening officers who attempt to resolve disputes prior to the formal adjudication. The overall process has resolved and adjudicated several thousand matters since the inception of the program.
• Independent adjudicators are appointed by the Deputy Attorney General. The qualifications are prescribed in regulation and include:
  • Experience as an adjudicator of disputes.
  • Post-secondary training in adjudication.
  • Successful completion of specialized bylaw dispute adjudication training.

Media Contacts:

Lori DeLuca
Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 953-3196