Powers, Duties, Authority and Financing of the VFCYJ

Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE FAMILY COURT COMMITTEE

The Family Court Committee may:

• be a force in educating the public on issues related to Family Court
• sit in on court hearings to monitor the actions of all officials concerned with the welfare of youth and assist judges upon request
• report to the Capital Regional District Board and member municipalities problems which are of concern
• enter and monitor both open and secure custody facilities
• comment upon legislation concerning families and youth and –
• make recommendations to appropriate legislative bodies concerning any matters deemed to be covered by our several mandates

In addition, the Family Court Committee must report annually to the Ministry of the Attorney General and its member municipalities.

AUTHORITY OF THE FAMILY COURT COMMITTEE

The Family Court Committee is constituted under the Provincial Court Act with powers and duties as listed under Section 4.1 in addition, it has been designated by the Attorney General of British Columbia (as of June 27, 1984) to be the youth Justice Committee, under section 69 of the Federal Young Offenders Act, Bill C-61 (see Sections 4.2 and 4.3).

The Victoria Family Court is authorized by the Ministry of Children and Families to the Community Committee that reviews the circumstances of youth in custody in our local containment centre, and physical environment and programs provided them. To that end, we are assured entry to the youth Containment Centre and access to all necessary information. Centre staff attends the committee as resource people as they are able.

FINANCING AND STRUCTURE OF THE FAMILY COURT AND YOUTH JUSTICE COMMITTEE

Since the Victoria Family Court and Youth Justice Committee (the Committee) services the Greater Victoria area, it is responsible to the Capital Regional district (CRD) from whence it receives its funding (see Sections 4.5 and 4.6 for CRD Bylaws). The budget is submitted and approved each year in December. However, grants are not received until August of the next year.

One representative is appointed annually by each of the Municipalities of Esquimalt, Oak Bay, Langford, Colwood, Central Saanich and North Saanich, the Districts of Saanich, Metchosin, Highlands and Sooke, the City of Victoria and the Towns of Sidney and View Royal. We also have appointed members from the School Districts of Victoria (61), Sooke (62) and Saanich (63). Up to seven members at large may be appointed by the CRD (selected from nominations received from the Committee and other interested organizations). In total there are up to 23 voting members.

The Committee's mandate involves working with the Ministries of the Attorney General, Public Safety and Solicitor general, Education, Children and Family Development, Social Development, and Health Services. Resource People from these ministries attend general meetings as non-voting personnel, and have also been expected to assist at the sub-committee level. With the increasing workload, only specific projects can expect to receive assistance from Ministry staff, whose assistance is most appreciated.