The Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys (MACA) ceased discussions with the provincial government on Friday, stating that officials did not present adequate resources to address prosecutor burnout. MACA lodged a grievance in April 2023, urging the province to tackle “dangerously heavy caseloads” by raising salaries and recruiting more prosecutors. Following two and a half years, the grievance was scheduled for arbitration earlier this week. Ben Wickstrom, MACA’s vice president of prosecutions and spokesperson, mentioned that they opted out of mediation sessions on Friday morning due to the lack of substantial progress. He emphasized the urgent need for tangible resources to alleviate the longstanding workload pressures faced by prosecutors.
Wickstrom highlighted that Crown attorneys have encountered increasingly challenging workloads since the grievance was filed with the previous Progressive Conservative government. Factors such as the introduction of body-worn cameras and anticipated adjustments to the federal Criminal Code are contributing to the escalating demands on attorneys, resulting in prolonged courtroom engagements and the necessity for additional staffing.
Despite Justice Minister Matt Wiebe’s assertion that the NDP government has recruited 35 new Crown prosecutors and boosted their remuneration, Wickstrom disputed the claim, stating that these hires merely filled vacant roles left by departing prosecutors. He pointed out that the pay increases mentioned by the minister were a result of an arbitration decision from February 2024, granting Crown prosecutors a five-year contract with nearly 14% wage increments retroactive to 2022.
Wickstrom expressed concerns about the disparity in pay between Manitoba and other provinces, which has led to difficulties in retaining skilled prosecutors. He emphasized the impact of this pay gap on their ability to retain legal talent, noting that the current collective agreement extends until the following March. The statement from Wiebe indicated disappointment over MACA’s withdrawal from negotiations and stressed the province’s readiness to continue discussions. Wickstrom mentioned that new arbitration dates are being arranged, but it may take up to a year before the grievance is addressed.