B.C. taxpayers spent nearly $300,000 on prisoner flights to court

British Columbia taxpayers have spent nearly $300,000 over the past five months to fly inmates to and from court in remote and rural parts of the province. The provincial sheriff service has chartered 31 flights since December 2025 to move accused people between detention centres and courthouses, according to figures from the Ministry of Attorney General. The costs have drawn criticism from prosecutors, defence lawyers and the opposition, who say the money could be used to address staffing shortages and court delays. The issue began after an RCMP directive in January 2025 ended the practice of holding suspects in local police cells when they are awaiting trial. With only two correctional centres serving the Interior and North, many accused people now must travel long distances to smaller courthouses in places such as Williams Lake, Terrace and Fort St. John. Provincial officials say they are looking at solutions such as virtual hearings and other transport options to keep trials moving and avoid releases or delays.