Monday February 23, 2026 | VICTORIA, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
The Civil Forfeiture Amendment Act was introduced today in the BC Legislature.
The Province believes the proposed changes will improve fairness, clarity, efficiency of civil forfeiture in BC.
The amendments align with a commitment in Budget 2026 to expand the proactive operations of the Civil Forfeiture Office as recommended by the Cullen Commission.
“Today, we’re introducing amendments to strengthen British Columbia’s civil forfeiture law – ensuring that those who profit from crime cannot keep their unlawful gains,” said Nina Krieger, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“These changes will give law enforcement stronger tools to target criminal proceeds, disrupt organized crime and reinvest recovered funds into initiatives that support victims and improve public safety in communities across British Columbia.”
Disruption:
The Civil Forfeiture Amendment Act introduces practical changes to reinforce the Province’s ability to disrupt organized crime and money laundering. These crimes have grown more complex and the Cullen Commission called for a more proactive approach to civil forfeiture.
This legislation aligns with a commitment in Budget 2026 to expand the proactive operations of the Civil Forfeiture Office so it can strengthen the forfeiture of assets acquired through unlawful activity and continue to serve communities effectively and fairly.
Improving the civil forfeiture process:
The proposed legislation addresses gaps that have caused delays and increased costs during litigation. Changes include:
- streamlining litigation while preserving fairness
- updating timelines and dispute rules
- cutting costs and preserving asset value
- improving information-sharing with safeguards
- adding fairness safeguards for record-gathering
Lower costs, fair process:
Amendments will lower costs, create a clearer, fairer process for respondents and ensure the Civil Forfeiture Office is not losing value on assets that could be used to support community safety grants and victim supports.
Money laundering and organized crime are significant and pervasive issues in British Columbia, and these amendments will reduce litigation costs, improve clarity and strengthen fairness safeguards while ensuring recovered funds continue to support communities and victims throughout the province.
Civil forfeiture is a legal tool that allows the province to seek the forfeiture of assets acquired through unlawful activity, independent of any criminal prosecution. Funds recovered through civil forfeiture are directed toward crime prevention programs, services for victims and community safety initiatives throughout British Columbia.
Asset recovery:
Since its inception, the Civil Forfeiture Office has recovered more than $221 million in unlawfully acquired assets.
Investment in public safety:
More than $93 million has been invested in crime prevention and community safety grants, including grants to police for specialized training and equipment and $1.7 million in victims’ compensation.
Grants support crime prevention, restorative justice, gender-based violence supports, anti-hate and Indigenous-led healing initiatives.
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