Government working to address Court staffing shortages as system reaches ‘critical point’

The wheels of justice turn slowly, but they’re turning especially slow in Manitoba due to what the Provincial Court Chief Judge says are “significant challenges arising from court staff shortages.”

“What we’re seeing right now is things are getting to a critical point,” said Justice Minister Matt Wiebe.

“Ultimately, we need to make sure that we’re recruiting, we’re retaining and we’re emphasising the important work that clerks do in our court system.”

The commitment to fix the system from the Justice Minister comes as the province grapples with a reduced contingent of court clerks, as only 32 of the 46 full-time positions are filled — leaving 14 openings – but Wiebe say work to address the shortage is underway. 

“We need to ensure that we’re providing the correct pay, that we’re giving the right incentives. We’re showing folks that this is an important part of our court system — and they’re an important part of it,” said Wiebe. 

On Monday, a note issued by Provincial Court Chief Judge Ryan Rolston indicated the court staff shortage has contributed to the need to soon combine two bail courts and a reduction of disposition courts daily in Winnipeg from three to two. 

Writing the proper functioning of the court has been affected, the shortage also includes sheriffs and other frontline staff, with Chief Judge Rolston writing: “While this is not an acceptable measure on many levels, we are forced to ensure that priority is given to those cases that will be compromised most by the current circumstances.”

Even with the shortages, Chief Judge Rolston said over the phone the public needs to know those behind the scenes are doing everything they can with the resources available. 

“The people who are working in the system and that includes the clerks, the sheriff officers, the frontline staff, they work tremendously hard everyday to try and make the justice system work effectively,” said Rolston. 

“They have been covering off the shortages as best they can everyday and they’ve done that at their own peril.”

Adding, “If we don’t have clerks. The court system grinds to a halt.” 

Calling it an opportunity to take real action for the new government, Stacey Soldier, with the Manitoba Bar Association, says court staff play a critical role in the system, and when they are understaffed and under-resourced, it can erode the public’s overall trust and cause further harm to victims already trying to navigate the process. 

“To find out by a phone call or a letter, or an email to say: “We’re not proceeding against the person, or we weren’t able to, or it has to be cancelled, there’s a lot of trauma for many people. Not just people who are victims, but for their families and the communities at large,” said Soldier.