Kelowna endorses petition to bolster justice system funding

Local officials in Kelowna and Prince George are calling on the federal government to make drastic improvements to the justice system.

Kelowna city council has endorsed a petition to Parliament that calls for bail reform and more funding for prosecutors, judges and correctional centres.

It was introduced by Prince George mayor Simon Yu and highlights an increase in property crime, unreasonable justice system delays and a glut of services for people held in pre-trial.

It comes as Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas has taken a leading role in the Okanagan to lobby for justice system reforms, while local businesses are facing the brunt of petty crime.

Yu’s petition, which has more than 800 signatures since it was introduced in January, calls for strengthened bail requirements for prolific offenders. It also calls for more judges and prosecutors to be appointed, along with increased justice system funding, and resources for inmates.

The Downtown Kelowna Business Association celebrated council’s endorsement citing repeat offending and gaps between mental health care and the justice system as the “most significant” concerns for local businesses.

“While the city continues to take local action, many of the root causes require federal leadership and legislative reform,” executive director Paula Quinn said in a news release.

The petition closes on March 27. It can be found online here.