A
About the Ministry
The Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (PSSG) works to maintain and enhance public safety across British Columbia. The portfolio of the ministry includes: corrections; coroners services; law enforcement; crime prevention; victim services; hazard mitigation; emergency management and response; road safety; fire prevention, life safety and property protection; gaming enforcement; consumer protection; crystal meth secretariat; civil forfeiture; and human trafficking. The Solicitor General is also responsible for the Crown corporation ICBC (Insurance Corporation of B.C).
Acts and Legislation
Throughout this subject list there are links to some acts. For an alphabetical listing of all government acts, see Statutes and Regulations on the BC Laws website – www.bclaws.ca. Note, access to acts and regulations on this site is free, but the site is not necessarily up-to-date with the most recent changes. QP Legaleze is the official site of all acts and regulations – everything posted will be up-to-date. There is a fee to use QP Legaleze, however, access to QP Legaleze is available in many public libraries.
Consultation documents (for public input into changes in acts and regulations) are posted on the Consultations on Policy and Legislation website.
Alternative Measures Program
Provides an opportunity for people charged with less serious offences to accept personal responsibility for their behaviour by agreeing to make amends to the victim and/or community. Alternative measures may include restitution, an apology, community work service and—for First Nations people—involvement in culturally-based practices. For more information contact Corrections.
Avalanche
See Provincial Emergency Program.
B
Bullying
From schoolyard bullying to gang violence and organized crime, many young people today have witnessed violence or been victimized themselves. The Youth Against Violence Line 1 800 680-4264 provides a safe, confidential way to report incidents of youth violence or crime in B.C. See also Community Safety and Crime Prevention.
Business Continuity Management Program
Part of Emergency Management BC, the program provides for the Province's overall business continuity strategy and framework. This mandate includes the development, coordination, and implementation of government-wide business continuity strategy, policy, and procedures. The program oversees, promotes, and supports the development and implementation of Ministry business continuity plans, training, and exercising. It is also responsible for leading and overseeing cross-government business continuity planning efforts and the coordination of provincial integrated business continuity operations in the event of a major business disruption.
For further information: see Office of the Comptroller General, Core Policy and Procedures Manual, Section 16, Business Continuity Management.
Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA)
The BPCPA is an independent authority that delivers consumer protection services throughout British Columbia. The BPCPA promotes fairness and understanding in the marketplace and enforces consumer protection laws in B.C.
For example, under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act the BPCPA is responsible for licensing the travel, debt collection and telemarketing and home inspection industry. The BPCPA also administers the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act, the Motion Picture Act, Gift Card Regulation and Payday Lender Regulation (comes into force November 1, 2009 – see news release). For more information see the BPCPA website.
C
Civil Forfeiture Office
The ministry Civil Forfeiture Office (CFO) is responsible for administering the Civil Forfeiture Act. The act allows the government to apply to civil court for the forfeiture of assets that have been either acquired with the proceeds of unlawful activity, or used as instruments of unlawful activity. Assets that have been ordered forfeit by the courts are liquidated and used to administer the act and to provide victim compensation and crime prevention/remediation grants to communities.
Legislation and policy pages containing information on legislation and associated consultations introduced by the Solicitor General. The pages also contain information on consultations that may lead to future legislation or changes in policy.
Consumer Protection
See Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA).
The B.C. Coroners Service is responsible for the investigation of all unnatural, sudden and unexpected, unexplained or unattended deaths. It makes recommendations to improve public safety and prevent death in similar circumstances.
Responsible for the safe management and control of adult offenders serving a provincial jail or conditional sentence, or term of probation. It is also responsible for individuals who are held in immigration detention, or awaiting trial in custody or on bail.
Crime and Police Reports
Police Services supervises policing and law enforcement functions in B.C. See the publications page on the police services website for police and crime statistics.
Crime and Violence Prevention
Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division develops and delivers programs, funding and resources to help British Columbians build and maintain safe communities. For more information see the Community Safety and Crime Prevention website.
National Crime Prevention Centre
At the federal level, the National Crime Prevention Centre provides information and programs aimed at reducing crime and victimization by addressing their root causes through a social development approach.
Victim Services and Crime Prevention Division manages the Crime Victim Assistance Program. This program helps victims and others recover from the effects of violent crime so that they may participate fully and safely in their communities.
The Criminal Records Review Program checks the criminal backgrounds of any persons involved in the care of children in licensed facilities in B.C.
Information on Crystal Meth use in B.C. and a list of contact information for those looking for help dealing with crystal meth addiction.
Custody, Adult
See Corrections.
D
The program is administered by the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General through the Provincial Emergency Program. It provides financial assistance following a disaster.
Driver Improvement Program: Policies and Guidelines
See Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles (OSMV) website. OSMV establishes and maintains standards for driving behaviour and medical fitness.
Driver Licence
The Driver Licensing Program is administered through the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia (ICBC). See also, Graduated Licensing Program on the ICBC website.
Driver Licence Suspensions and Prohibitions
See Licence Suspension on the ICBC website.
E
Earthquake
See Provincial Emergency Program.
Electronic Monitoring
Used for offenders to ensure that they comply with conditional sentence orders, which include a curfew or house arrest condition. Electronic monitoring is operated by Community Corrections. For more information contact Corrections.
Emergency Management BC
Emergency Management BC (EMBC) oversees the integrated strategic planning, mitigation, response and recovery activities for the Province of BC, including Integrating Public Safety Planning and Mitigation, Provincial Emergency Program, Office of the Fire Commissioner, BC Coroners Service, Business Continuity Management Program and BC Flood Protection Program.
F
Film Classification
The Film Classification is conducted through the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority (BPCPA). The BPCPA provides film content information so the public can make informed viewing choices for themselves and their families.
Financial Assistance
Fire Safety and Prevention
The Office of the Fire Commissioner is the senior fire authority in the province with respect to fire safety and prevention. Services include administration and enforcement of fire safety legislation, training of local assistants to the fire commissioner, fire loss statistics collection, fire investigation, fire inspection, response to major fire emergencies, advice to local governments on delivery of fire protection services, public fire safety education and fire fighter certification.
Floods
See Provincial Emergency Program.
G
Gift Cards
As of November 1, 2008 most consumer gift cards with monetary value sold in British Columbia may not have expiry dates or user fees. For more information, contact the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority at (toll-free) 1 888 564-9963 or visit their website: www.bpcpa.ca. See also, ministry news release.
According to the Guide Animal Act, a person with a disability accompanied by a certified guide animal has the same rights, privileges and obligations as a person not accompanied by a guide animal.
H
Home Inspector Licensing Regulation
See BPCPA website.
The Office to Combat Trafficking in Persons (OCTIP) is responsible for the overall development and coordination of British Columbia’s strategy to address human trafficking. OCTIP reports to the Deputy Solicitor General and is jointly funded by two provincial ministries: the Ministry of Public Safety & Solicitor General; and Children & Family Development.
I
Ignition Interlock
The Ignition Interlock program, run by the B.C. Superintendent of Motor Vehicles, requires individuals caught drinking and driving to have a device installed on their vehicle's ignition system that prevents the vehicle from being started or operated when the driver has been drinking. For more information, visit the Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles' website publication page where you'll find a fact sheet on the topic.
Inquests
See Coroners Services for inquest schedule information.
Crown Corporation that provides basic and optional vehicle insurance, driver licensing services, and road safety programs to residents of B.C.
Investigation and Standards Office
The Investigation and Standards Office (ISO) undertakes investigations at the request of the minister or the director of ISO on matters involving the administration of the Correction Act. The office, established in 1974, is an independent body of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General and Ministry of Attorney General.
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Jail
See Corrections.
M
Motor Vehicles, Superintendent
The Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles regulates drivers to help ensure the safe and responsible operation of motor vehicles in British Columbia.
O
B.C.'s independent policing agency that combats organized crime through progressive law enforcement techniques. It is empowered by the Solicitor General and is made up of a team including the province's municipal police, RCMP and various international agencies.
P
Parole
The National Parole Board decides whether inmates (provincial and federal) should be released.
Payday Loans
See BPCPA website.
Peace Bonds and Restraining Orders
For women, living in B.C., who need protection from a man they are – or have been – in an intimate relationship with. However, the information contained here also applies to people in same-sex relationships and to men who need protection from their female partners or ex-partners. See the publications page on the Victim Services website for information on Peace Bonds and Restraining Orders.
Police Boards
Under the Police Act, each municipal police department in B.C. must have a police board. The board's mandate must include establishing and operating a police department that enforces criminal, provincial and local laws and bylaws; maintains order; and prevents crime. For more information see, Municipal Police Boards on the Police Services website.
On behalf of the the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General, Police Services is responsible for superintending policing and law enforcement functions in British Columbia.
Private Investigators and Security Agencies (PISA)
On September 1, 2008, the Private Investigators and Security Agencies Act was repealed, replaced by the the Security Services Act. See Security Industry and Licensing.
Prolific Offender Management Project
A new strategy aimed at reducing high volume crimes like break and enters, car thefts, assaults, robberies and drug trafficking is being piloted in five British Columbia communities. Prolific offenders have long criminal histories. Typically, they can have 24 convictions or more between the ages of 18 and 24 for property theft, drug offences and assault. Often they will have been to jail numerous times within a single year, breach probation and repeat the cycle of incarceration.
For more information see the Prolific Offender Management Project on the Criminal Justice Reform website.
A confidential database, containing all civil and criminal protection-orders issued in B.C., instrumental in reducing violence against women, vulnerable adults, youth and children through support of the enforcement of civil and criminal protection orders.
VictimLINK
If you have a protection order, you can call to ensure your order is in the registry. Call VictimLINK 1-800-563-0808.
Privacy Information and Records Division
Manages the release of any records in custody and control of the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General that have been requested under the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. Tel: 250-387-6898.
R
Restorative Justice
See Community Safety and Crime Prevention.
Road Safety
See Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
S
Safe Communities
See Community Safety and Crime Prevention.
Security Industry Licensing
On September 1, 2008, the Security Services Act replaced the 26-year old Private Investigators Security Agencies Act (PISA). All types of security businesses and security workers are required to hold a valid Security Business or Security Worker Licence under the terms set out by the new act, its regulations, and licence conditions.
See Security Industry and Licensing.
Sexual Exploitation
See Community Safety and Crime Prevention.
In cooperation with the provinces and territories, the national sex offender registration program was subsequently implemented to enable police to have rapid access to information about convicted sex offenders.
The Office of the Superintendent of Motor Vehicles is the lead provincial agency for road safety and is responsible for setting strategic direction and ensuring a provincial approach to road safety throughout British Columbia. The OSMV regulates drivers and operates a number of programs to help ensure the safe and responsible operation of motor vehicles in B.C. The OSMV also plays a lead role in building public awareness to ensure that British Columbians have full understanding of road safety issues and government’s programs in this important public safety area.
T
Taser
Tsunami
See Provincial Emergency Program.
V
Vehicle Impoundment
See Superintendent of Motor Vehicles.
Vendor Compliant Review Process (VCRP)
The process for registering a Vendor Complaint relating to procurement activities carried out by or for the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General (pursuant to Core Policy Chapter 6, Part II and the Vendor Complaint Review Process for Government Procurement). For more information see the Management Services Branch website.
Victim Assistance
See BC Association of Specialized Victim Assistance and Counselling Programs.
Victim Rights
A document describing your rights as a victim of crime under the Victims of Crime Act. To download the document, see publication page on the Victim Services website.
See also Crime Victim Assistance Program, for information on financial assistance for victims injured as a result of certain crimes. Also, the Victim Safety Unit provides notification services to eligible victims of crime where an offender has been sentenced to a jail term of less than two years. Victim Travel Fund information can also be found on this site.
Violence Against Women and Children
See the publications on the Victim Services website for the Policy on the Criminal Justice System Response on Violence Against Women and Children (Violence Against Women in Relationships).
Y
The Youth Against Violence Line is a toll free, automated phone line and e-mail that provides a safe, confidential way to prevent and report incidents of youth violence or crime or seek assistance from local police. The Youth Against Violence Line is not equipped with Call Display and cannot trace calls. Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Phone messages are monitored from 9 a.m. - 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and from 9 a.m. - 12 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays. |
