A road map for action
Every provincial election creates an opportunity for CBABC to present Agenda for Justice, an accessible document that explains to government and the public the issues we care about as a profession and that we think will make life better for British Columbians.
After the election. CBABC will launch our Agenda for Justice 2024, fifteen recommendations to address everyday situations affecting people in B.C. — families undergoing a separation, residents who feel unsafe on our streets, rural communities without access to basic legal services and more.
Where do the recommendations come from? Our members. Your experiences on the front lines of client service informed the submissions CBABC has made. In the past year, volunteers on our committees considered which of our 80+ advocacy initiatives, developed over many years, were critical at this point in time. From there, our Policy and Advocacy Committee curated a shortlist, the Board signed off, and our communications team are pulling everything together in a way that makes sense to people who are unfamiliar with the details lawyers well know.
The result will be a roadmap for action to improve B.C.’s justice system and provincial legislation for the benefit of all British Columbians, no matter who wins the election. Agenda for Justice 2024 offers concrete suggestions where the legal community and the next B.C. government can work collaboratively to move families and communities forward. These recommendations are organized into three key areas:
Making Justice Affordable
Better systems and more funding for legal aid, the courts, legal services and internet access will help our legal and justice systems support individuals, families and businesses to thrive regardless of where they live and work, or how much they earn.
Reaching Equal Justice for Everyone
We shine a light on the people in British Columbia who are too often left out. Recommendations include a child protection system where children have a voice, data collection that ensures marginalized people are seen, and increased funding for approaches that meaningfully change the experience of Indigenous peoples.
Increasing the Public’s Confidence
All actors in the justice system — police, government, lawyers and judges — have an important role to play. When those roles are respected and adequately funded, we can be confident that British Columbians feel safer and can access the services they need.
Keep an eye on our website for the launch of Agenda for Justice 2024. Your membership makes this work possible and keeps our voice strong.