B.C. government announces new funding targeting criminal re-offenders

A public safety announcement on Friday, led by BC’s Public Safety Minister Garry Begg, unveiled the province’s plan to add more funding to a special investigations program targeting repeat offenders.

Source: Wikimedia Commons

A public safety announcement on Friday, led by British Columbia’s Public Safety Minister Garry Begg, unveiled the province’s plan to add more funding to a special investigations program targeting repeat violent offenders.

The Special Investigations and Targeted Enforcement program, introduced in 2023, has contributed to 5,425 investigations, resulting in 2,676 charges being laid, according to police.

The new $6-million funding boost announced by Begg brings the total funding for the program to $17 million.

Along with the new funding announcement, Begg celebrated the recent arrest of two Surrey residents in relation to a 3.4 kilogram fentanyl and weapons seizure—"enough for nearly 2 million lethal doses" and with "the fentanyl disguised as dog treats."

A Global News reporter on scene expressed skepticism over the new funding announcement.

“We are seeing people being released and then committing violent offences over and over again,” said Rumina Daya, addressing the Minister of Public Safety.

“This money does nothing to address the fact that people are being arrested, released, and then are offending over and over again. So what about bail reform?” Daya asked.

“Thank you for the question,” Begg responded.

“You will know that we've lobbied hard and made a trip to Ottawa just for that purpose. It's a very important discussion that is ongoing,” Begg continued—without providing specific details on bail reform.