Kelowna Chamber of Commerce Sees B.C.'s Chronic Offender Initiative as Inadequate

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has raised concerns about the inadequacy of B.C.’s expanded chronic offender initiative, which includes a $16 million program to reduce repeat property crime and social disorder. Despite Minister Krieger’s praise for accountability measures, the chamber is particularly disappointed without an involuntary care facility and relief from PST (provincial sales tax) expansion.

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce has voiced its disappointment with B.C.’s expanded chronic offender initiative. Minister Krieger’s announcement on June 23 highlighted accountability measures for risk offenders but failed to address the chamber's concerns regarding an involuntary care facility and PST expansion relief.

In addition, Andrew Duncan from the B.C. Crown Counsel Association expressed concern about insufficient prosecutors for the hub system in Kelowna. According to Duncan, five to seven more prosecutors are needed in the region to adequately support the initiative.