The busiest Provincial Court location in the province is about to receive a $24.3-million expansion, paving the way for faster and smoother access to justice, and demonstrating government’s commitment to meeting the justice needs of B.C.’s communities.

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton, along with Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services Amrik Virk, today announced the addition of three courtrooms and two hearing rooms for the Surrey Courthouse, which has the largest criminal caseload in the province.

The project was identified as the top priority in the Lower Fraser Valley Regional Plan: Court Capacity Expansion Project released in February 2014 and will help to ease caseload pressures by providing additional space for cases to be heard. 

Additional judges and staff will be required to staff the new courtrooms; however, it is too early at this stage to confirm the precise number of new positions. The actual number of judicial officers will be determined by the Lieutenant Governor in Council at a later date after consultations with the Chief Judge, as set out in the Provincial Court Act and the Justice Reform and Transparency Act.

The call for construction tender will go out in late 2015, with construction expected to begin in January 2016. The expansion is anticipated to be complete by late 2017.

At today’s event, Anton also announced the key outcome of the Surrey Criminal Justice Task Force — a recommendation for the creation of an Integrated Services Network to be led by the City of Surrey.

The network would be a single location for all agencies involved in the delivery of programs and services aimed at reducing crime in Surrey. The initial phase would establish an administrative centre for offices in the justice, health and social service sectors.

The Surrey Criminal Justice Task Force was convened in February 2014 by Anton and the City of Surrey to study persistent crime problems in the community and identify solutions.

(flickr.com)

Quotes:

Suzanne Anton, Attorney General and Minister of Justice -

“Government recognizes the pressures on courthouse facilities resulting from the rapid growth of the lower Fraser Valley’s population. That’s why we are investing $24.3 million to add new courtrooms and hearing rooms to the Surrey courthouse. These improvements will help ensure timely access to justice for British Columbians by alleviating delays caused by caseload backlogs.”

“We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of all British Columbians, in partnership with communities. Engaging with 33 stakeholders representing 18 organizations from the health, social service and justice sectors, the task force modelled the collaborative approach it is recommending, and ensured a grassroots, made-in-Surrey solution to the specific issues the community faces.”

Amrik Virk, Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens’ Services -

“Timely access to justice is a priority for our government. The courthouse expansion, along with the task force recommendations, will significantly help to improve public safety and access to justice in the years ahead.”

Linda Hepner, mayor of

“The Task Force’s recommendation of an Integrated Services Network in Surrey will help directly address the root causes of crime. This means that cases involving mental health, health and family matters, will be referred to timely support services. Ultimately, this will allow for a greater chance of success in reintegrating offenders into positive roles in society.”

Chief Judge Thomas Crabtree, Provincial Court of British Columbia -

“I welcome the news of the proposed expansion to the Surrey Courthouse. This increase in capacity, coupled with additional judicial appointments to preside in the new courtrooms, will enhance the court’s ability to provide timely access to justice for the people of Surrey and the adjoining municipalities served by this facility.”

Bill Fordy, Chief Superintendent, Surrey RCMP -

"By working collectively with our local justice and community partners, we were able to develop solutions specific to some of our community's needs. I believe that the recommendation of the task force is another positive step forward and that the Surrey courthouse expansion and the movement towards an Integrated Services Network will have positive impacts on public safety and reduce crime in our city.”

Learn More:

Surrey Criminal Justice Task Force report:
http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/criminal/info/SurreyCJTFRecommendationsReport.pdf

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-0618

BACKGROUNDER 1

Surrey Courthouse - Facts

Overall, Surrey is the busiest Provincial court location in B.C. It is second only to the Vancouver Law Courts when compared to integrated court locations that also serve the Supreme Court. In fiscal 2013-14, in Surrey there were:

• 15,503 new Provincial Court cases initiated.
• 92,366 Provincial Court appearances.
• 14,760 court session hours.
• 3,781 family subsequent applications.
• Courtrooms operating beyond capacity (103% room utilization), meaning longer-than-average sitting days.

Types of cases handled in Surrey:

• 80% of new cases opened in Surrey were criminal court cases (adult, youth, or ticket/by-law).
• 20% of Surrey’s new cases were opened in Family and Small Claims court.
• Surrey has a high volume of provincial civil small claims cases (small claims and motor vehicle claims valued at $25,000 or less), second only to Robson Square Provincial Court.
• Over the last five fiscal years, 13% of provincewide small claims and motor vehicle caseload were filed in Surrey.
• Province-wide, Surrey has the most new Provincial Family cases opened annually, handling about 10% of the new provincial caseload.

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-0618

BACKGROUNDER 2

Surrey Criminal Justice Task Force report

Recommendation - The creation of an Integrated Services Network: a single location for all agencies involved in the co-delivery of programs and services aimed at reducing crime in Surrey.

• The Network has the potential to increase ease of access to services for clients with complex needs by providing a single physical location. Establishing a location that is understood by and accessible to clients may increase the likelihood that the front-line staff are able to reach those clients who may otherwise be hard to reach, and reduces the likelihood that clients will be turned away and redirected for other services located elsewhere.
• The initial phase of the Services Network requires the assignment of an administrative liaison and the establishment of a governing body with representation from participating agencies.
• The Task Force recommends that the Services Network be developed with priority focus on domestic violence, mental health and substance misuse, and prolific offenders.
• With minimal additional resources, this model should be attainable as it will focus on better use of existing resources.
• It was noted by the Task Force that the former City Hall building in Surrey may be worthy of consideration for the Services Network due to both its proximity to several justice services and currently available leasable space.

To access the full report, visit: http://www.ag.gov.bc.ca/courts/criminal/info/SurreyCJTFRecommendationsReport.pdf

Media Contacts:

Ministry of Justice
Government Communications and Public Engagement
250 208-0618