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In your REPLY REFER To FILE

October 25, 1973. .

Mr. R.A. Freeman, ; iM! (*
City Clerk,

The Corporation of the

City of Port Coquitlam, NOV 49 1973
2272 McAllister Avenue,
Port Coquitlam, B.C.

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Dear Mr. Freeman:

Re: Probation Staff - Coquitlam -
Port Coquitlam Justice Building ottached
#7

This will reply to your letter of October 3, 1973
requesting on behalf of the Municipal Council of The Corporation
of the City of Port Coquitlam, that an additional Probation
Officer be assigned to your area.

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Please be assured that my office is in sympathy with
your request, but that a general shortage of qualified personnel
throughout the Province makes it impossible to meet the present
demands for additional probation staff. My Department is making
a request to Treasury Board for a substantial increase in our
overall probation staff complement. Problems inherent in
recruitment, selection and training, however, militate against

any immediate solution.

Your request will be kept in mind, along with numerous
Similar requests, as competent staff do become available during

the coming year.

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The problem you have outiinéd in your opening paragraph
is unfortunately, not unique. The rapid growth in the number
of such incidents, especially among the very young, is of
considerable concern to my Department. The rapid expansion of
our Probation Services is obviously only part of the solution,
but it is one which, as indicated, we hope to act upon as soon

as possible.

VYefy truly,

lex Macdonald,
Attorney-General