Penticton

Penticton is getting another judge.

The new judge will be one of nine appointed by the BC government which targeted regions around the province dealing with heavy caseload pressures.

Photo: Contributed - Google street view

Penticton will receive one of nine new judges recently appointed by the provincial government.

"Our government has been consistent in saying it would always consider appointing judges as one of the solutions to ease pressures on the justice system, but these newest appointees are only part of a  solution for a justice system in need of reform," says BC Attorney General Shirley Bond.

"In the coming days, we'll be looking very closely at larger reform of the system and specifically how we can find efficiencies and long-term solutions to the pressures our courts are facing, instead of just looking at more funding as the only answer."

Four of these new judges will be appointed to the Greater Vancouver and Fraser Valley regions, with another two being placed in Prince  George.

One new judge has been appointed to Nanaimo and Smithers as well.

The chief judge has assigned the new judges to these specific communities in response to the court's needs throughout the province, taking into account such matters as caseload demands, recent transfers within the court, retirements or judges choosing to move to the part-time program.

The total cost to government to support one Provincial Court judge is up to $1.4 million annually, including the judge's salary and other costs for court administration staff, sheriffs, prosecution services and judicial support.