News details

Connection







Lost password?

Latest news

Increased number of homicides doesn’t bode well for overworked N.L. prosecutors, association says

There are 17 homicide cases before the courts in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the head of the association that represents local prosecutors says the higher-than-normal caseload will be difficult to handle.

[ ...More ]
Publication date : 2023-09-07
Manitoba adds 25 Crown attorneys to prosecution service amid workload issues

The Manitoba government hopes to add about two dozen more prosecutors and assistants to the prosecution service, which attorneys say has been struggling to keep up amid workload and workforce issues. Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys says province left group out of discussions.

[ ...More ]
Publication date : 2023-06-26
Les Leyne: Premier David Eby takes on lawyers — again

The B.C. NDP government has introduced a one-page bill that bestows the right to join a union on the 350 lawyers who work for government. There’s a catch. It herds them into a union the government prefers, the Professional Employees Association, rather than allowing them to form their own.

[ ...More ]
Publication date : 2023-05-06
‘Unfair labour practice’: B.C. government accused of blocking union bid by its own lawyers

Lawyers for the B.C. government say the province has ended negotiations with them ahead of legislation they claim aims to block their right to form their own union.

[ ...More ]
Publication date : 2023-05-04
N.B. prosecutors say recent sexual assault stay is evidence of resource shortage

New Brunswick’s justice system is reaching a crisis point. Urgent calls have been made to address the provincial criminal justice system after a decision was made to stay a sexual assault case due to the lack of prosecutors. According to the New Brunswick Crown Prosecutors Association, the judge’s decision, made in Moncton last Friday, is directly linked to the shortage of resources.

[ ...More ]
Publication date : 2023-03-01
Delays prompt judge to stay charges against man accused of sexual assault
Delays prompt judge to stay charges against man accused of sexual assault

Charges were stayed in Moncton provincial court Friday against a man accused of sexual assault, with the judge agreeing with the defence that the accused had waited too long to be tried. Meanwhile, New Brunswick Crown Prosecutors Association, representing Crown attorneys, saying staffing shortages in their ranks are at crisis levels.

[ ...More ]
Publication date : 2023-02-24


<-- Back to archived news

Alberta justice minister denies courtroom cuts; sources maintain tissues, water removed

22-01-2020

https://globalnews.ca/video/rd/35a426de-3e4c-11ea-92a9-0242ac110003/?jwsource=cl

 WATCH: Alberta Justice officials now say there was a miscommunication with some courts when it comes to the availability of tissues and water in courtrooms. Jayme Doll explains.​

Alberta Justice denies it ever gave a directive to remove tissues or water from courtrooms earlier this week but sources confirmed to Global News on Tuesday that these items would no longer be supplied.

 

Sources said the move was made to reduce spending in the department, and were told anyone in a courtroom would be required to supply their own tissues and there would be a change to how water would be provided.

 

On Wednesday morning, the office of Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer issued a statement to Global News, saying: “Tissues will still be provided to witnesses and water to both witnesses and the judiciary. This has — and will not — change.

 

“Water coolers for lawyers will be removed from individual courtrooms and lawyers will be responsible for providing their own water or can have filtered water available in water fountains, in the kitchen and in break areas. Removing water coolers for lawyers in courtrooms will save Alberta Courts approximately $50,000.”

 

Ian Savage, president of the Calgary-based Criminal Defence Lawyers Association, said Tuesday that the move by Alberta Justice court administration is ridiculous.

 

“There [are] budget cuts and there’s silliness, and this obviously falls into the line of silliness,” he said.

 

“The court system, like any other public system, has people coming into it that have basic human needs. Just like toilet paper, running water and soap in the washrooms of the courthouse, individuals that come to the courthouse to participate in the justice system — be it the lawyers, the judges or witnesses — need to drink water in order to carry on in a normal function.”

 

“Little things start getting cut and some of these are going to have real impacts on victims,” he said.

 

Block said he thinks lawyers will be fine bringing their own water.

 

“There [are] water fountains. We can buy our own water,” he said. “Our concerns are always more about victims.”

 

https://globalnews.ca/news/6450000/alberta-justice-minister-courtroom-tissues-water/​