Media Room – Honourable John van Dongen

Honourable John van Dongen

The diverse portfolio of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General includes law enforcement, corrections, services to victims of crime, the coroners service, driver regulation and road safety, as well as emergency management.

Did you know . . .

  • B.C. has 950 more police officers than five years ago – over 8,500 officers in all – and more integrated policing per capita than anywhere else in Canada, with teams focused on homicides, gang violence, child exploitation and other specific types of crimes.
  • B.C. has nine provincial correctional centres with an average of 2,668 inmates (2007/08). 279 cells and 150 interim beds are being added to four major provincial correctional centres.
  • Across B.C., 156 victim service programs provide information, referrals, emotional support and practical assistance to crime victims. Budget 2008 provides an extra $17 million over three years to help more victims access these programs.
  • The Coroners Service is responsible for the investigation of all unnatural, sudden and unexpected deaths in B.C. In 2007, the service investigated 7,474 deaths and conducted 27 inquests.
  • The Province has had street-racing laws for almost six years. During this time, 689 15-day roadside prohibitions have been issued and 540 vehicles impounded for street racing.
  • B.C. is one of two Canadian provinces with active civil forfeiture programs. Over the past two years, the Province’s actions have seen more than $4 million in cash and property forfeited, with proceeds going to support victims and crime prevention and remediation.
  • B.C.'s Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons, established in 2007, is the first of its kind in Canada. It is responsible for the development and overall co-ordination of the Province's strategy to address human trafficking.
  • There are 57 hazards identified in B.C. In a typical year, the emergency co-ordination centre receives more than 7,000 search-and-rescue requests and reports of flooding, hazardous material spills, urban interface fires and other incidents.