News Releases

News Release - Manitoba

April 28, 2017

Statement from Justice Minister Heather Stefanson Regarding Justice Ministers Meeting

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Federal, Provincial and Territorial Justice Ministers Meeting Related to Delays in the Criminal Justice System

At the last meeting of federal, provincial and territorial justice ministers in October 2016, our government raised the issue of preliminary inquiry reform as a means to reducing court backlogs in the criminal justice system. 

Manitoba then sent a letter to the federal government in December 2016, proposing a four-year pilot project which would replace preliminary inquiries with an out-of-court discovery process for the most serious indictable offences while eliminating them for offences carrying a sentence less than 10 years. 

We are encouraged by the federal government’s commitment to provide legislative changes where preliminary inquiries are concerned.  We will continue to advocate for our pilot project to be considered the option for reform when it comes to preliminary inquiries.  We believe it is a fair and balanced approach that still offers the ability for defence counsel to call for a limited number of witnesses in a discovery process. 

Our government is not supportive of changes to mandatory minimum sentencing as a means of addressing court delay.  We appreciate that an analysis on this issue has been proceeding by the federal government as a review of these sentences is in the mandate letter of the federal justice minister.  However, the position of Manitoba is that mandatory minimum sentences ensure stability and predictability in sentencing. 

A stable sentencing range provides assurance to citizens that convicted criminals must face a reasonable and just minimum penalty for the crimes they have committed.  Anything less than a prison sentence for certain crimes is unjustifiable in Manitoba’s view. 

Our government will continue to work with our federal, provincial and territorial counterparts to address systemic court delay, ensuring efficient and timely access to justice for all Manitobans.   

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