Eby says Vancouver courthouse will not be relocated, amid safety concerns

Following a recent attack on a crown prosecutor, Premier David Eby says the province is not considering relocating the Vancouver courthouse where it occurred.

Responding to heightened safety concerns raised by the BC Crown Counsel Association, Eby says Vancouver’s largest provincial courthouse will remain on Main Street in the city’s Downtown Eastside neighbourhood.

The association, which represents 450 crown prosecutors, voiced its apprehensions on Monday following the seemingly random assault of a crown prosecutor on her way to work on Feb. 2.

In a press conference on Friday, Eby expressed his concern about the assault and emphasized the importance of ensuring safety for everyone using the courthouse. He assured discussions were ongoing to enhance public safety.

“We have done a lot of work to address issues of community safety in Vancouver and other parts of the province. We have made some progress, but we have a lot more work to do,” he said.

“I’ve talked with the attorney general, she will be reaching out to the Crown Council Association, and she’s working with the justice administration and folks in her ministry as well as with the court to ensure safety for everybody.”

More BC Sheriffs to enhance courthouse safety

On Monday, the province announced it would be hiring more than a dozen new BC Sheriffs to work across the province, aimed at protecting court staff and the public. However, specific assignments to the Main Street courthouse remain unclear.

“Everyone who uses the court system expects it to run safely and smoothly,” said BC Attorney General Niki Sharma.

“Sheriffs provide critical protective and enforcement services for the judiciary, crown, defence, court staff and the public. That’s why it’s so encouraging that more people than ever are applying to join the BC Sheriff Service.”

Adam Dalrymple, president of the BC Crown Counsel Association, tells CityNews he’s highly concerned about the safety surrounding the Downtown Eastside courthouse. Dalrymple says the issue extends beyond prosecutors and the recent attack has members of his association “reeling.”

Dalrymple references another incident at the same courthouse in September 2022, when a federal prosecutor was assaulted. Dalrymple says a program has existed at the Main Street courthouse for awhile now to escort courthouse staff heading to and from work. However, he says this service is abnormal and not an ideal situation.

Last week, CityNews spoke with Rebecca McConchie, a member of the Trial Lawyers Association of B.C., who says a group of lawyers wrote to B.C. Attorney General Nikki Sharma in December asking for action on courthouse safety and never heard back.