April 28, 2021
Province Providing More Than $5 Million to Enhance Criminal Justice Supports
– – –Key Investments will Protect Manitobans, Improve Access to Justice, Support Justice System Modernization: Friesen
The Manitoba government is providing $5.2 million through Budget 2021 to support key initiatives and programs that will protect Manitobans, increase access to justice and further modernize the provincial justice system, Justice Minister Cameron Friesen announced today.
“In the midst of the uncertainty of 2020, our government has made significant progress in improving our provincial justice system, while protecting Manitobans from the risks of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Friesen. “While we are proud of what we have accomplished so far, we know there is still work to be done. We will continue on our trajectory toward a more modern justice system and improved supports and services for Manitobans.”
The minister noted the province will invest $2.9 million to bolster judicial resources including hiring two additional full-time judges, increasing funding for the Senior Judge Program and expanding court administration and judicial support resources. In addition, two new Crown attorneys will be hired as part of the 24-hour on-call service created to address delays and keep the justice system running as swiftly and smoothly as possible, he added.
Another $2.3 million will be provided to Legal Aid Manitoba, which has implemented duty counsel and on-call shifts to increase access to justice for accused Manitobans. This increased funding will also support services provided by the private bar that will enable Legal Aid to continue to ensure Manitobans can access legal services, regardless of their financial situation.
“COVID-19 presented unprecedented challenges all Manitobans this past year,” said Friesen. “The pandemic created significant challenges in our justice system as well, but the challenges were met head-on, accelerating the implementation of planned technological upgrades and making other investments. We know that these new judges for Winnipeg and Thompson courts and increased utilization of senior judges will help to tackle court delays created by the pandemic, and increase access to justice.”
Significant upgrades have also been made to technological infrastructure in correctional centres, court centres and across the justice system to maintain operations and ensure accessibility throughout the pandemic, while keeping Manitobans safe.
The minister noted additional strategic investments throughout the coming year will help address pandemic-related delays and backlog in the courts system, while improving overall systemic efficiency.
- 30 -