Directors question funding request

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: July 07, 2013 1:00 AM Rural politicians are reluctant to fund a program that helps keep people out of jail. The Restorative Justice Society has asked the Regional District of North Okanagan to turn it into a function with annual contributions. Municipal partners are considering the request, but the electoral areas are raising several questions about the program. “I’m not sure what it is they do. What does this group provide?” said Mike Macnabb, BX-Silver Star director. Through restorative justice, people who have committed an offence meet with the victim to talk about what happened and what can be done to correct the situation. If possible, it is a way for the offender to remain out of jail and turn their life around. “We need more information on what kind of perpetrators they are trying to divert out of the (justice) stream,” said Bob Fleming, BX-Swan Lake director. The program serves Vernon, Spallumcheen, Armstrong, Enderby, Coldstream, Lumby and five electoral areas. However, it currently only receives $50,000 a year from the City of Vernon. The budget for 2014 is $75,000 and the society is seeking $25,000 from RDNO, $42,000 from Vernon and the remainder would come from fundraising and other sources. Jackie Pearase, rural Enderby director, wonders why there isn’t provincial government funding. “How much money is this program saving the criminal justice system and why aren’t they acknowledging this?” she said. Eugene Foisy, Cherryville director, isn’t convinced restorative justice is a local responsibility. “Is this a function of the regional district? We can’t solve every problem by taxing our people to death,” he said. Before making a decision on funding, the Electoral Area Advisory Committee will seek more information on the program from the Restorative Justice Society and ask the Ministry of Justice about its role.