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Shortage of prosecutors: towards abandoning prosecutions
Crown prosecutors fear the worst in the face of the crisis which is slowing down the functioning of the criminal justice system in New Brunswick. Calls for help have been made for two weeks. Me Yves Duguay, Vice-President of the New Brunswick Association of Crown Prosecutors and prosecutor in Bathurst, admits that the situation has been worrying for a while.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2024-03-27
B.C. prosecutors’ association raises security concerns about Vancouver courthouse following assault
The association that represents B.C.’s roughly 450 Crown prosecutors is raising safety concerns around an East Vancouver courthouse after a member was allegedly assaulted outside last week. "We’re reeling, this has really shaken us to the core to have one of our own attacked right here,” said BCCCA president Adam Dalrymple.
[ ...More ]Publication date : 2024-02-05
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
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Ottawa to allow federal bureaucrats to work from home if possible to prevent coronavirus spread
13-03-2020
"Parliament Building with Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Canada"
OTTAWA – Federal bureaucrats will be allowed to work from home if possible for the foreseeable future amidst the COVID-19 virus pandemic, the National Post has learned.
“Let me be crystal clear, we’ll be as flexible as humanly possible,” said Jean-Yves Duclos, president of the Treasury Board.
The new directive from the Treasury Board Secretariat, which acts as the federal government’s employer, will be issued on Friday to all federal departments.
Thus, the roughly 300,000 federal employees will be allowed to stay away from their offices throughout the country as long as their job allows it. Each employee is encouraged to refer to their respective managers to see how this new order applies to them.
For others who’s presence at the workplace is vital to their job, such as some Parks Canada employees for example, new directives sent out Friday morning by the Chief Human Resources Officer ask to self-monitor closely for any symptoms of the virus.
“Self-monitoring means monitoring yourself for fever, cough and difficulty breathing and avoiding places where you cannot easily separate yourself from others if you become ill”, wrote Nancy Chahwan.
The directive also throws out the need for a bureaucrat to provide a medical note in order to self-isolate.
“In order to avoid overburdening the health care system, unless a manager has a bona fide reason to question an employee’s declaration that they must self-isolate, no medical certificate should be requested,” Chahwan’s directive notes.
In the meantime, TBS assures that each department has a business continuity plan in place to ensure that despite the absence of employees from the office, its mostly business as usual for government operations.
The directive also orders employees who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, or have been close to someone who caught the virus, to self-isolate and to follow strict guidelines while doing so.
“Self-isolation means limiting contact with others.
Do not leave home unless absolutely necessary, such as to seek medical care.
Do not go to school, work or other public areas and do not use public transportation (e.g., buses, taxis).
Arrange to have groceries and supplies dropped off at your door to minimize contact.
If possible, stay in a separate room and use a separate bathroom from others in your home.
If you have to be in contact with others, keep at least 2 metres between yourself and the other person. Keep interactions brief and wear a mask.
Avoid contact with older adults and with individuals with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems.
Avoid contact with pets if you live with other people who may also touch the pet.”
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/ottawa-orders-federal-bureaucrats-to-work-from-home
