British Columbia taxpayers have allocated close to $300,000 over the past five months for transporting inmates to and from court in remote areas of the province. Since December 2025, the B.C. Sheriff Service has arranged 31 flights to shuttle individuals facing criminal charges between detention centers and courthouses. This information, disclosed by the Ministry of Attorney General to CBC News, has sparked criticism from Crown prosecutors, defense lawyers, and the Official Opposition.
Andrew Duncan, a Crown prosecutor in Kamloops and a director for the B.C. Crown Counsel Association’s Southern Interior region, expressed concern over the substantial expenditure, suggesting that the funds could be utilized for hiring more sheriffs, community corrections workers, and additional prosecutors. B.C. Supreme Court Associate Chief Justice Heather Holmes has cautioned that the current situation is unsustainable, as charter flights may not always be available, potentially leading to rescheduled or relocated criminal trials or the release of suspects from custody.
The roots of this issue trace back to an RCMP directive issued in January 2025, indicating a lack of resources to detain suspects in local police cells near their trial locations. With only two correctional centers in the B.C. Interior and the North, suspects may have to travel long distances between these facilities and smaller courthouses, such as those in Williams Lake, Terrace, or Fort St. John. In certain instances, private planes are being used for these journeys, incurring costs of around $1,000 per flight.
Public Safety Minister and Solicitor General Nina Krieger has assured that a working group comprising provincial government officials and police representatives is actively seeking solutions to mitigate the strain on the justice system, including exploring virtual bail hearings. Despite challenges, she emphasized the commitment to ensuring swift access to justice through various means, whether through flights or ground transportation.
B.C. RCMP spokesperson Staff Sgt. Kris Clark clarified the role of the RCMP in holding individuals during active investigations or while awaiting court dates, transferring responsibility to B.C. Corrections or Correctional Service Canada for those denied bail. The discontinuation of holding prisoners during trials, except in urgent situations, has been highlighted due to significant liabilities faced by the RCMP.
Conservative MLA Steve Kooner criticized the provincial government for alleged mismanagement of the criminal justice system, attributing potential trial delays to their actions. Meanwhile, defense lawyer Jay Michi and criminal lawyer Kyla Lee have raised concerns over the impact on serious criminal cases and the necessity of exploring alternatives like video appearances for accused individuals.
Despite apprehensions expressed by various stakeholders, Minister Krieger reiterated the government’s commitment to preventing inmate releases and trial delays through collaborative and innovative measures.