‘It’s a great step’: N.S. prosecutors welcome announcement of 27 new positions

HALIFAX, N.S. — The head of the Nova Scotia Crown Attorneys’ Association is “very pleased” with Thursday’s announcement that the provincial government is adding 27 permanent positions to the Public Prosecution Service.

“It’s a great step towards stabilizing the proper administration of justice in Nova Scotia,” association president Brian Cox said in an interview with The Chronicle Herald.

“It’s clear to our organization and the membership that the government has been listening and is investing in the long-term sustainability of our justice system. These new resources will help reduce the crushing workload faced by front-line Crown attorneys and aid in the prosecution of increasingly complex cases, including sexual assaults.”

A government news release said 17 of the new positions — 11 Crown attorneys and six legal assistants — will play a “crucial role” in the administration of justice, support specialized prosecution teams related to human trafficking and sexualized violence, and increase front-line prosecutor positions around the province.
 
The other 10 new positions will allow the PPS to make its intake team pilot project permanent. The pilot began in 2017 to triage cases to address court backlogs and support compliance with Jordan timelines.
 
The release also said the PPS will designate four new lawyer positions for equity candidates, improving representation within the organization.

In October, Cox said the shortage of prosecutors in Nova Scotia meant the rights of victims were being ignored. He said cases were being lost because overworked Crown attorneys could not adequately prepare for trial.

In Thursday’s release, Justice Minister Brad Johns said Nova Scotians want to feel safe in their communities, “and a well-functioning justice system is essential for their security and peace of mind.

“We are committed to addressing pandemic-related backlogs and increasingly complex cases and reducing the number of cases dismissed without a trial,” Johns said.

“The Public Prosecution Service does important work on behalf of Nova Scotians, and we will continue to work closely with them to address staffing and workload concerns and keep Nova Scotians safe.”
 
‘Much-needed support’

Longtime prosecutor Rick Woodburn, who was named acting director of public prosecutions in November, thanked the government for providing the PPS with “much-needed support.”

“These new positions will contribute significantly to the Crown’s role in protecting public safety and reducing the risk of criminal cases being dismissed for delay,” Woodburn said in the release.

“The designated positions for racialized Crown attorneys will help the PPS better reflect our community and demonstrates our commitment to diversity and inclusion.” 

The Nova Scotia PPS was created in 1990 as Canada’s first independent public prosecution service. More than 100 Crown attorneys prosecute Criminal Code charges and provincial regulatory offences.

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms says any person charged with an offence has the right to be tried within a reasonable time. The Supreme Court of Canada, in the 2016 Jordan decision, set timelines of 18 months for cases to be heard in provincial court and 30 months for superior courts such as the Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

Last week, a senior Crown attorney told the Herald that morale in the PPS improved immeasurably after Woodburn was appointed. “It’s better than it’s been in years,” that prosecutor said.

‘Turning point’

Cox expects Thursday’s announcement will boost morale even more.

“The NSCAA views this as a turning point for our justice system,” he said. 

“Directionally, we’re on the right path. I know our members are hopeful about this step, and we look forward to working with the government toward building a better, fairer, more efficient justice system for the province.”

The appointment of Woodburn, former president of the Crown attorneys’ association, as director of the PPS has been “a positive step towards opening dialogue with the government and towards bringing our service into the 21st century,” Cox said.

“Our director has made some immediate, meaningful contributions to our service, and we look forward to continuing to work with him in building a better PPS.”