MLA Bill Barisoff – “The process of dealing with bylaw infractions through a court system can be time consuming and costly. This new adjudication system reduces the time required to resolve disputes, and diminishes pressure on the courts without increasing costs to taxpayers.”

Area residents involved in minor bylaw infractions, such as zoning and animal control complaints, can now take their disputes to an independent adjudicator working outside the traditional courtroom.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan is the latest to join more than 60 other local governments already using an adjudication system piloted nine years ago and offered through the Ministry of Justice.

The adjudication system eliminates the roles of court and court registries in the administration and hearing of these disputes, which saves time and money and makes more efficient use of court resources.

Another unique aspect of the adjudication system is that each local government determines which bylaws it wants included. Local government plans to use the new system to administer zoning, business licensing, animal control, water, and other bylaw disputes more efficiently and effectively.

The Regional District of Central Okanagan will join with other local governments in the area in order to provide the adjudication service in the most efficient and economical manner possible. The Regional District will work with the cities of Kelowna and Penticton, the Districts of Lake Country, West Kelowna and Summerland, the Regional District of Okanagan Similkameen and the Town of Oliver.

As part of ongoing reform to the justice system, the B.C. government is increasing the number of alternative ways to resolve disputes, when appropriate, without requiring individuals to use the courts. Court alternatives help to reduce stress, shorten the time required to resolve disputes, and ultimately cut costs for both the individual and taxpayer.