The British Columbia government intensified its efforts against organized crime by introducing a new set of measures aimed at confiscating the proceeds of criminal activities, including high-end vehicles, extravagant residences, and luxury items, thereby diminishing the profitability of organized crime activity.

The government enacted several amendments to the Civil Forfeiture Act, notably introducing unexplained wealth orders (UWOs), which mandate that individuals clarify the origins of their assets when suspicions of illicit activity arise. UWOs serve as a potent tool enabling the government to deal with asset concealment through familial or associate ties, helping dismantle the incentives associated with organized criminal activities.

During this panel focused on UWOs, we will discuss:

• The targeting of high-value assets
• Recent amendments to civil forfeiture legislation in British Columbia and Manitoba, including the establishment of unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) as a key strategy
• Building stronger cases against assets used in organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering
• The advantages and potential pitfalls of UWOs