Taking Justice Reform Seriously

It is a summer of discontent for BC legal aid lawyers, a number of whom have threatened service withdrawal to protest underfunding.

But funding is only part of the problem for our justice system. As recent provincial and national reports have made clear, our justice system is too complex, too slow and too expensive. Not just for the poor, but for everyone. Fundamental change is needed.

The BC government is responding to the call for reform by implementing its 2013 Justice Reform and Transparency Act, convening Justice Summits, creating and supporting a Justice and Public Safety Council, establishing performance gaps and developing strategies. And its new Civil Resolution Tribunal, when it finally launches next year, will provide online dispute resolution for small claims and strata property cases.