The association representing Crown attorneys in Manitoba ended discussions with the province on Friday, citing a lack of substantial resources from government officials to tackle prosecutor burnout issues. In April 2023, the Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys (MACA) lodged a complaint urging the province to alleviate “dangerously heavy caseloads” by boosting salaries and recruiting more prosecutors. Following a two and a half-year period, the grievance was scheduled for arbitration earlier this week.
Ben Wickstrom, MACA’s vice president of prosecutions and spokesperson, mentioned that they did not attend mediation sessions on Friday morning due to a lack of tangible progress. Wickstrom emphasized the urgent need for “real resources” to alleviate the workload pressures that Crown attorneys have been grappling with for years. He highlighted the escalating challenges faced by Crown lawyers since the initial grievance filing, attributing these challenges to factors such as the introduction of body-worn cameras and proposed amendments to the federal Criminal Code.
Despite Justice Minister Matt Wiebe stating that the government has hired 35 new Crown prosecutors and increased their pay, Wickstrom disputed these claims. He pointed out that the new hires merely filled existing vacancies left by departing Crown prosecutors, highlighting ongoing recruitment and retention issues within the province. Wickstrom also mentioned a recent arbitration decision that granted Crown prosecutors a five-year agreement with nearly 14% total wage increases, retroactive to 2022, extending until next March.
Expressing concerns about pay disparities between Manitoba and other provinces, Wickstrom emphasized the impact on retaining prosecutors. In response to MACA walking away from negotiations, Wiebe expressed disappointment and surprise, affirming the province’s readiness to continue discussions. Wickstrom indicated that new arbitration dates are in progress but suggested it might take up to a year before the grievance is addressed.