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Department of Justice and Public Safety

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Funding, new equipment for N.B. Department of Justice and Public Safety

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The Government of New Brunswick is investing $423 million in strengthening public safety, modernizing justice services, and ensuring the sustainability of department programs.

New Brunswick RCMP will receive $7 million to implement body cameras for officers, salary increases, and to counter rising operational costs.

Technical Inspection Services will receive a $1 million increase in funding to hire more electrical inspectors and to support housing development through improvements to permit and plan review capacity.

The Serious Incident Response Team (SIRT) will receive $1.1 million to fully fund the organization. The release says this also includes support for Indigenous representation.

Justice system improvements like the launch of virtual bail hearings and the introduction of the Addictions and Mental Health Court Program in Moncton are some ways the government is working to better support communities.

Justice Minister and Attorney General Rob McKee says modernizing the province’s justice system is about making it more accessible, timely, and responsive.

“These initiatives will help ensure people get the support they need while improving outcomes for individuals, families, and communities,” said McKee.

Robert Gauvin, public safety minister, says these targeted investments will support policing, enhance enforcement, and modernize the justice system.

“Investing in public safety means making sure our law enforcement agencies have the tools and resources they need, while also strengthening accountability and improving how services are delivered,” said Gauvin.

Fee adjustments

The government will be increasing the number of fees related to numerous provincial acts to adjust to the service delivery cost. Most of these adjustments will come into effect on July 1 and are expected to generate $45 million annually in provincial revenue.

“Through our pre-budget consultations, we were clear with New Brunswickers that there would be difficult decisions ahead, and adjusting fees was one of the options on the table,” said Gauvin. “Many of these fees have not been updated in years, over 20 in some cases. This step helps ensure we can continue delivering the quality services people rely on every day.”

Some notable fee adjustments would apply to the NB 911 service fee, which will be increased to $2.59 per month starting Aug. 1.

Liquor licensing, vehicle registration, and driver’s license renewal also would face adjustments.

One example provided by the Department of Justice and Public Safety is that drivers will pay an extra 20 cents per month for their driver’s license, or $2.40 per year per person. Vehicle owners could pay anywhere from an extra $5 to $15 annually for vehicle registration.

Changes are also expected to probate fees, which have not faced adjustment in more than two decades.

“We know fee increases are never easy and that is why we have taken a careful, balanced approach,” McKee said. “We are making sure fees better reflect the cost of delivering services, are comparable to other Atlantic province, and limit the impact on New Brunswickers.”

For a full list of Acts affected, refer here.

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N.B. proposes ending limitation periods for intimate partner‑violence claims

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The government has introduced legislation aimed at improving access to the civil justice system for survivors of intimate partner violence.

In a press release Wednesday, the Department of Justice and Public Safety said the government is proposing amendments to remove limitation periods for non‑sexual harm in intimate relationships. The changes would also apply when the survivor was financially, physically, or emotionally dependent on the person who harmed them.

According to the release this will signify an expansion of claims survivors of domestic violence can file without a limitation period, which includes claims for damages, for trespass to the person, and assault or battery for acts of a sexual nature.

“These relationships can involve fear, control, and power imbalances that make it extremely difficult for survivors to come forward within the standard limitation periods,” said Justice Minister and Attorney General Robert McKee in the release. “This legislation recognizes those realities.”

If passed, the bill would also remove limitation periods to file claims for recent or historic misconduct.

This means that people who have experienced sexual assault, intimate partner violence or similar ham in a relationship of dependance would be able to file claims regardless of when the misconduct took place, unless the claim had already been settle or it had been decided by the courts.

Additionally, the changes would align New Brunswick’s laws on these matters more closely with those in other Canadian jurisdictions.

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N.B. government updates release process in provincial jails

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The province is changing how people leave its correctional centres.

Officials said a new planning system is meant to improve safety and support people returning to the community.

The Department of Justice and Public Safety explained that the new process creates a consistent approach to release planning across all provincial correctional centres.

The department added that individuals will now be assessed earlier in their stay so staff can identify risks, determine support needs and begin planning for release as soon as possible.

Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin said the updated approach strengthens how staff assess needs, plan for release and connect people with services.

“This work is about improving outcomes for individuals leaving custody, reducing the risk of reoffending and supporting safer and healthier communities,” Gauvin said in a government release.

He also said the changes complement the broader work underway through the homelessness task force.

The new framework applies to people held on remand and those serving sentences.

Officials said people with shorter stays will receive help with immediate needs such as identification, housing and basic supports.

“For individuals who are in custody longer, staff will provide more detailed planning and case management,” the department said.

It added that previous discharge planning focused mainly on sentenced individuals.

To support the new system, the department said it reassigned existing resources to create a provincial discharge and reintegration co‑ordinator.

“The goal is to reduce the number of people leaving custody without stable housing or access to essential services,” the department said.

The co‑ordinator will work with correctional staff, health‑care providers, probation officers and community partners to help people secure housing, identification and other supports before release.

The initiative is part of the broader work of the ministerial task force on homelessness, which is coordinating efforts across government to strengthen services and reduce homelessness across the province.Edit