The Ministry’s priorities outlined in the Business Plan were developed in the context of the government’s business and fiscal plans. I am committed to achieving the planned results laid out in this Business Plan.

[original signed]

Heather Forsyth, Solicitor General
March 4, 2004

THE MINISTRY  

The Ministry of Solicitor General includes the Department of Solicitor General, the Victims of Crime Fund, the Law Enforcement Review Board, and the Criminal Injuries Review Board.

The Department of Solicitor General is comprised of six divisions/areas and includes Aboriginal Justice Initiatives Unit, Communications, Correctional Services, Human Resource Services, Public Security, and Strategic Services. Strategic Services, Aboriginal Justice Initiatives Unit and Human Resource Services also provide strategic support to the Ministry of Justice.

The Ministries of Solicitor General and Justice work together to administer Alberta's justice system and work with partners in policing, local government, Aboriginal and community organizations to ensure that Alberta's communities are safe places to work, live and raise families.

We share a common vision of a province where Albertans feel safe in their homes and in their communities. The Ministry works to achieve this vision through joint initiatives with community partners and through its participation in cross- ministry policy initiatives.

Effective policing, crime prevention, corrections programs and security services all contribute to safe communities. When a crime is committed, the Ministry ensures that victims are treated with dignity and respect and receive the help they need.

While the Ministry's core businesses and goals are aligned with and support a number of government goals and priorities, the Ministry plays a key role in Goal 9 of the Government of Alberta Business Plan - Alberta will be a fair and safe place to work, live and raise families.

VISION

Ensure Albertans have safe and secure communities in which to live, work and raise their families.

MISSION

Our mission is to serve Albertans by ensuring safe and secure communities through effective policing, security and correctional services, and when crime is committed to assist victims of crime.

CORE BUSINESSES

Core Business 1: Policing and Crime Prevention

Goal 1 - Ensure safe communities in Alberta.

Core Business 2: Victims Programs and Services

Goal 2 - Provide services to victims and ensure that they have a more meaningful role in the criminal justice system.

Core Business 3: Custody, Supervision and Rehabilitative Opportunities for Offenders

Goal 3 - Facilitate the rehabilitation of offenders.
Goal 4 - Ensure secure and efficient custody, community supervision and transportation of offenders.

Core Business 4: Security Services

Goal 5 - Ensure the safety of Albertans by providing government security services and crisis management planning.

SIGNIFICANT OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES

The recognition of trends, identification of new challenges, and awareness of changes in other socio-economic sectors must be considered in setting the strategic direction for the 2004-07 Solicitor General Business Plan.

Demographics
Alberta is the nation's youngest and fastest growing province with over half of the population under 35 years old. As young people tend to be over-represented as both offenders and as victims of crime, a proactive approach must be adopted to sustain service delivery and ensure that resources are available to address growing demand.

In 2001, 80.9% of Alberta's population resided in urban areas. An increasing number of people moving to Alberta's cities create unique policing issues relating to resources, funding and types of crime.

Crime and Security
Although Alberta's crime rate increased by 2.5% in 2002, the province's overall crime rate remained the lowest in Western Canada. Special challenges are presented by the use of the Internet for criminal purposes: child exploitation, including child pornography and Internet luring; and the use and production of drugs. With 24 known organized criminal networks in Alberta, organized crime requires particular attention.

Effective community-based crime prevention strategies, along with effective policing strategies, are the keys to dealing with the crime challenges facing Alberta. Provincial support will greatly enhance the ability of crime prevention and restorative justice initiatives to provide for a safe Alberta. These need to be supplemented by province-wide initiatives integrated with federal and international strategies.

Western democracies, which were once perceived as safe, are now possible targets of terrorist activity. Alberta must continue to ensure it has an effective provincial emergency crisis management plan to prepare for and mitigate the threat of terrorism. Government security services provided by Solicitor General must anticipate potential security threats, yet have minimal impact on the public. In addition, cross-border security has become an important focus of federal, state and provincial governments in relation to national security.

Victims
The Ministry continues to strive to ensure victims have a more meaningful role in the criminal justice system. With 25% of Albertans indicating they had been victims at least once in the past year, the development of strategic direction for victims' programs and services is crucial for victims having access to services and having a meaningful role in the justice system.

Aboriginal Albertans
Alberta's young and rapidly growing Aboriginal population represents approximately one-third of admissions to custody in Alberta and is significantly over-represented at all stages in the criminal justice system as both victims and offenders.

An increasing Aboriginal youth population coupled with higher levels of migration to major cities and less favorable socio-economic conditions compared to other Albertans may lead to greater involvement in organized crime and street gangs.

Custody Issues
Changes in legislation and sentencing practices require that Solicitor General respond to new pressures, prioritizing available correctional resources and planning for future needs. Alberta continues to experience increasing numbers of adults detained in custody awaiting the outcome of criminal charges (remand).

Community Issues
The Ministry is in the process of responding to the completed MLA Review of Corrections, Victims of Crime Consultation, and Policing Review. Results of the MLA Reviews will be used to further enhance the safety and security of Albertans.

Impaired driving continues to be a serious concern in Alberta. Impaired drivers are involved in a significant percentage of all fatal collisions in Alberta each year, resulting in high societal costs.

Family violence continues to be a serious problem that crosses all socio-economic boundaries. Together with other ministries, the Solicitor General has a role to play in the prevention and response to family violence and these roles need to be more coordinated to effectively address this problem.

The limitations of individuals suffering from Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder and/or mental illness may increase their vulnerability to become involved with the criminal justice system. Many issues surrounding the need to manage these individuals differently have been identified, including diversion from the criminal justice system.

E-Justice and Information Technology
The rate of technological change continues to be rapid. A challenge is to determine how new technologies can be used for cost-effective and efficient operations in the justice system. Solicitor General will continue to monitor opportunities where technological developments can enhance and improve operations and service delivery for Albertans.

STRATEGIC PRIORITIES 2004-07

Through the Ministry’s review of external and internal challenges, the strategic priorities described below have been identified. These are in addition to the important ongoing core activities of the Ministry.

CORE BUSINESSES, GOALS, STRATEGIES AND MEASURES

CORE BUSINESS ONE: Policing and Crime Prevention

Ensuring safe communities in Alberta by ensuring adequate and effective policing and developing and promoting crime prevention programs.

GOAL 1: Ensure safe communities in Alberta

What it means

The Ministry oversees policing throughout the province, contracts with Canada for the RCMP to provide a provincial police service, and works with police and other agencies to develop, support or operate programs that target specific crime related issues such as the Criminal Intelligence Service Alberta, the Serious and Habitual Offenders program and Amber Alert. The Ministry works with communities and the federal government to promote locally effective crime prevention programs, including those in Aboriginal communities. As well, the Ministry works collaboratively with communities throughout Alberta in administering community justice committees, ensuring that communities themselves have an integral role in administering the justice system and addressing crime. Collectively these activities help to ensure safe communities.

Strategies

1.1 Implement a Policing Strategy incorporating the approved recommendations of the MLA Policing Review Committee Report that:

• Enhances provincial leadership in policing
• Provides sustainable funding for policing
• Restructures responsbility for policing, and
• Promotes citizen oversight of policing in Alberta.

1.2 Support the implementation of an Integrated Response to Organized Crime and gangs, working with law enforcement agencies and other government ministries.

1.3 Implement a strategy to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of First Nations Policing in cooperation with First Nations communities and the federal government.

1.4 Prepare a strategy with law enforcement agencies and other government ministries to address the exploitation of children via the Internet.

1.5 Work in partnership with crime prevention associations and Aboriginal communities to assist in the delivery of crime prevention programs and initiatives across Alberta.

1.6 Reinstate crime prevention and restorative justice program funding to support the Provincial Crime Prevention Strategy and the Community Justice Policy.

1.7 Further the development of the Youth Justice Committee program, involving interested communities in the administration of justice programs and encouraging local involvement in attempts to address crime, through the provision of financial grants and with the support and assistance of community probation offices.

1.8 Work in partnership with Children's Services to develop an integrated province-wide response to family violence.

Performance Measures

CORE BUSINESS TWO: Victims Programs and Services

Ensuring victims are treated with dignity and respect and that they receive information about programs and services, assistance during the criminal justice process, and that eligible victims promptly receive financial benefits.

GOAL 2 : Provide services to victims and ensure that they have a more meaningful role in the criminal justice systemVictims Programs and Services

What it means

The Ministry ensures that eligible victims of crime receive prompt financial benefits and assists community groups and organizations to establish programs and initiatives that meet the needs of victims of crime. The Financial Benefits Program assists direct victims of violent crime by providing one-time payments to victims that are based on the injuries they received. The Victims Grant Program provides grants to eligible groups and organizations that provide programs and projects that benefit victims of crime.

Strategies

2.1 Implement the approved recommendations of the MLA "Report of the Victims of Crime Consultation" subject to availability of funds. This will provide a ten-year vision for the development of programs and services for victims of crime and provide a framework for the achievement of that vision.

2.2 Implement the revised Victim Impact Statement guidelines.

Performance Measures

CORE BUSINESS THREE: Custody, Supervision and Rehabilitative Opportunities for Offenders

Ensuring effective and efficient security and supervision of offenders that enhances public safety while offering offenders opportunities to become law-abiding citizens.

GOAL 3 : Facilitate the rehabilitation of offenders

What it means

The Ministry enforces court ordered custody and/or supervision orders while providing offenders with opportunities to address behaviours and issues that contribute to their offending. In this regard, the Ministry provides education programs, assistance with substance abuse issues, skills training, mental health services, spiritual support and opportunities for constructive work activity. For offenders under supervision in the community the Ministry delivers, or ensures that offenders are referred to, programs and services appropriate to their rehabilitative needs. While the onus for change rests with the individual, it is believed that the change process can be facilitated through providing offenders with assistance and opportunities that promote positive and productive behaviours.

Strategies

3.1 Implement the approved recommendations of the MLA Review of Corrections.

3.2 Assist the development of Mental Health Diversion programs in Alberta in collaboration with the Alberta Mental Health Board, other ministries, and stakeholders.

3.3 Support the Alberta Children and Youth Initiative by ensuring provincial supports for youth in transition to adulthood are comprehensive, integrated and effective in meeting the needs of youth.

3.4 Support the operation, and where possible, further development of domestic violence treatment programs in Alberta together with the Alberta Mental Health Board, other ministries and stakeholders.

Performance Measures

GOAL 4: Ensure secure and efficient custody, community supervision and transportation of offenders

What it means

By making available properly trained staff, appropriate custody and community facilities and by providing offenders access to rehabilitation programs, the Ministry fulfils its legal and public safety mandate, ensuring that offenders are appropriately supervised in the community, securely held in custody environments, provided access to rehabilitative programs and safely transported when necessary.

Strategies

4.1Ensure that the Ministry's correctional programs meet the needs of community and staff safety, offender rehabilitation and cost effectiveness by implementing the approved recommendations of the MLA Review of Corrections.

4.2 Upon completion of a successful pilot project, and together with Justice and other supporting ministries, support development of an implementation strategy for province wide video conferencing in all major adult correctional and young offender centres, as an alternative to in- person court appearances for accused persons and witnesses. 

Performance Measures

CORE BUSINESS FOUR: Security Services

Ensuring safe communities in Alberta by providing security services to government officials, personnel, the judiciary and members of the public attending government functions and facilities. Maintaining the capability to anticipate and respond to changes in threat levels.

GOAL 5: Ensure the safety of Albertans by providing government security services and crisis management planning

What it means

The Ministry is responsible for security of government officials, property and operations. It is also responsible for counter terrorism intelligence and crisis management planning in coordination with federal, provincial, municipal and industry partners and stakeholders.

Strategies

5.1 Enhance security information communication channels and security risk awareness in the province.

5.2 Develop and implement counter-terrorism strategies in cooperation with Alberta law enforcement and intelligence operations, private and public sector organizations, and their national and international counterparts.

5.3 Working with our partners in Infrastructure, Justice, and the judiciary, prepare a court security proposal for government approval.

Performance Measures

EXPENSE BY CORE BUSINESS

MINISTRY STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

CONSOLIDATED NET OPERATING RESULT

Go to: Sustainable Resource Development Business Plan