Message from the Deputy Ministers of Justice and Attorney General, and Solicitor General
A few months ago the Premier announced an exciting change for the justice system in Alberta - a return to its traditional roots of Attorney General and Solicitor General. As deputy ministers of the new ministries, we see this division as a great opportunity to focus our resources and attention on our respective departments, at the same time retaining the strong links between both halves of the justice system that have been established over the past nine years.
It's a good time in Alberta for this change. Alberta has achieved the distinction of having the lowest crime rates in Western Canada, despite a young and fast-growing population. The justice system has taken tremendous steps forward as a result of the 1999 Justice Summit that set out a blueprint for the future. And we're poised for more positive changes ahead, with the results of the unified family court consultation and the Alberta policing review ahead of us. We'd like to thank our respective departments for the strong support they've shown throughout the process of re-structuring. And we welcome the opportunity to get to know our partners in justice even better through the months and years ahead. These are exciting times. We're looking forward to them. We hope you are too.
| Peggy
Hartman, Acting Deputy Minister and Deputy Attorney General |
Jim
Nichols, Deputy Solicitor General |
|
Deputy Solicitor
General
In many ways, this appointment allows me to get back to my enforcement roots. For the past two years, I have been Deputy Minister of Alberta Agriculture. Previous to that, I was Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection responsible for Environment, Forestry, Fish and Wildlife, Provincial Parks, Water Resources and Public Lands. During my 36-year career in the public service, I have been a regional fish and wildlife officer, assistant fishery biologist, undercover investigator and Director of Operations. I have lived in many centres in Alberta, from Blairmore in the south, to Fort Chipewyan in the north. I believe my diversity of experience, and first-hand familiarity with wide areas of Alberta, will help me as I deal with the future challenges we face. Our new Minister has made it very clear that we are all part of a team. I believe strongly in that philosophy. My door is always open to hear your ideas. I plan to travel across the province to meet with as many of you as possible in the coming weeks and months. Our job is to ensure that our communities remain safe places for all Albertans. We are responsible for policing and crime prevention, corrections and victims' services. What we do affects the daily life of every Albertan. I can't think of anything more important than ensuring the safety of our family, friends, and other Albertans. I look forward to working with all of you as we carry out this crucial work. Deputy
Solicitor General |
Paul Bourque, former Deputy Minister of Justice and Attorney General
I have enjoyed the challenges we faced over the past two years. I especially enjoyed working with many of you in all parts of the department on projects and committees. I can truly say that I learned something (and often a great deal) every day I came in to work. The issues were as complex as any government department could possibly face. Everything I learned, I learned from you. Whatever the topic, you had the answers prepared as consistently excellent briefing products. The short time frames required by myself or the Minister were met with unfailing good humour and, always, your very best efforts. I hope you learned something from me. Those who worked closely with me know that I always believed our first task was to deliver excellent service: service to victims of crime, service to witnesses, service to those unable to obtain legal services, service to MEP clients, service to all our customers, and service to the Alberta government. The end result of all this effort must be safer communities. There are very few more important or nobler exercises. Thank you all for the privilege of being your Deputy Minister. Paul Bourque
|
I
am delighted to be the new Deputy Solicitor General.
It
is with mixed feelings that I say farewell to Alberta Justice.
