Canadian Lawyer

w w w . C A N A D I A N L a w y e r m a g . c o m J U N E 2 0 1 6 29 successful. "It is our belief that they are having a positive impact on peoples' lives and impacting recidivism as a result." Crabtree says he is "concerned" about the large numbers of incarcerated aboriginals, who are only three per cent of the Cana- dian population but, according to January 2016 stats from Cor- rectional Investigator of Canada Howard Sapers, comprise 25.4 per cent of the population in federal prisons. Statistics Canada figures show provincial figures are similar with aboriginals in those pris- ons making up 24 per cent of the population, with 36 per cent of that being women. Crabtree is also searching for better answers to the plight of indigenous children taken into government care. "We are also looking at and exploring ways in which we may adopt slightly dif- ferent practices in child protection issues. . . . We are in discussion with indigenous communities and leaders as to how we may be able to engage in a way that is perhaps more reflective of the indig- enous practices and principles and how to engage the First Nations communities in that process," he says. The Canadian Council of Child and Youth Advocates figures in 2014 indicated the western provinces had the highest number of children in care with half of B.C.'s 8,200 children being aboriginal. Crabtree says the problem the court system and other agencies struggle with is adequate funding to provide solutions that address First Nations issues. "We are all struggling with finite resources, but we also believe that it is an important initiative," he says. The chief judge, who also holds a degree in public admin- istration, is attempting to ensure the resources allocated to the Provincial Court are used effectively and efficiently. "We have begun collecting data," he says, so public dollars and court services can be better address need. Efficiencies have been achieved, he says. Crabtree has moved the chief judge's office into the Robson Street Courthouse, a savings of $400,000 annually over its former downtown location. Video technology is used to save 22,968 prison transports to court, as well as continuing the 2010 reduction in wait times for trials, and initiating talks with the provincial government on the correct complement of judges for the Provincial Court. He has also implemented new in-house programs aimed at achieving operating efficiencies. The court's new scheduling system does not assign a case to a courtroom or judge until counsel or the litigant confirm their readiness to proceed, a move that has made it more difficult to judge-shop. From January to March 2015, the court rolled out its Provincial Court Scheduling Software, first to case managers and then to judges and the Justice Centre. The pilot project will wrap up this year. While initiatives such as government-initiated tribunals, media- tion, and newer programs such as the Interjurisdictional Support Order program result in moving cases out of the Provincial Court, Crabtree does not believe such initiatives will replace the court and the need for better problem solving. "When we can resolve an issue outside the courts — especially if it is a family-related matter — that is good thing," he says. "But, in some family and civil and definitely at the criminal level, there will always be a place for the Provincial Court." Turn your computer into a Point of Sale terminal with Chase Paymentech Introducing our new Hosted Checkout Retail solution: Process payments from your computer Collect payments on a regular schedule Share one PIN Pad across multiple practitioners within your offi ce View your transaction history in real-time Visit chasepaymentech.ca/hcor for more information or call us at 1.866.833.8182 HOSTED CHECKOUT HOSTED CHECKOUT D T retail All merchants are required to complete a more detailed application, and agree to terms and conditions, at the time of enrollment. All merchants are subject to credit approval. TM Trademark of Paymentech, LLC, Chase Paymentech Solutions authorized user. All other trademarks, registered trademarks, product names and logos identifi ed or mentioned herein are the property of Paymentech, LLC, or their respective owners. © Copyright 2016, Paymentech, LLC. All Rights Reserved. Untitled-1 1 2016-05-19 2:06 PM

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