Introduction

elcome to the story of the first thirty
years of the Justice Institute of British
Columbia (JIBC), Canada’s leading public
safety educator.

The JIBC has evolved to fulfill the strategic vision of its founders as a
fully functioning public post-secondary institution, providing top-quality
education and training for justice and public safety professionals throughout
their careers. So what does that mean for citizens and taxpayers? It means
that every day, everyone in British Columbia benefits from the skills and
knowledge of the graduates of the JIBC. It means that the Institute's focus
on quality produces graduates considered to be among the most capable in
any jurisdiction anywhere. This book is intended to explain just how the
JIBC makes such a claim through the stories of its alumni and those who
have provided the leadership and vision throughout its evolution.

Social Justice programs have been central to the success of the
Institute. The founding Order-In-Council included community programs
among the justice and public safety education and training responsibilities
assigned to the organization. Fulfilling that mandate, the JIBC melds the
theoretical approaches with practical experience for the Bachelor of Social
Work graduates who turn to the Institute for specialization in counselling
and helping victims of child abuse, sexual exploitation and of crime. For
several years, the JIBC was asked to lead the Education Alliance, a consor-
tium of university and college schools of social work across B.C.

Conflict Resolution programs for home and workplace have a reach Jack McGee, . ;
well beyond any founding, perceived notion of the importance of that P resident of the Justice Institute
curriculum. Long an advocate of restorative justice practices, the JIBC has of British Columbia

delivered its programs to and in partnership with Aboriginal communities
around the province. In a world where mastery over conflict is increas-
ingly valued, bachelor’s and master’s degree graduates, practising lawyers
and scholars are among the individuals representing institutions, corpora-
tions or their own interests who frequently seek the theoretical-based and
practical approach to alternative dispute settlement for which the JIBC is
known. These programs have a global reach, earning accolades from deans
of law schools, academic vice-presidents, corporate executives and individ-
uals involved in negotiations, dispute resolution and enhanced workplace
environments across the spectrum of public- and private-sector organiza-
tions and structures.

Health and Pre-hospital Care programs vary from programs on
Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder (FASD), mental-health issues, Advanced