News Release Archive
JUSTICE--YEAR END MESSAGE FROM JUSTICE MINISTER ----------------------------------------------------------------- By Justice Minister Jay Abbass As we look forward to 1997, we see a new year filled with promise, hope and opportunity. Standing on the edge of the future, it is helpful to take a look at the past. At the Department of Justice, much has been accomplished in the past year, with a focus on positive change and service improvement. The following highlights the events of the last 12 months. The year began with some important changes in how we deliver services. In January, the former Minister of Justice, Bill Gillis, announced that sheriffs' services would be streamlined. The move was designed to increase efficiency, while allowing sheriffs to concentrate on critical areas of operation, such as court security and prisoner transportation. This initiative also allowed members of the private sector to further expand in this area, which makes good economic sense for both government and those in the business of serving documents. The plan to upgrade and improve adult correctional facilities in the province progressed as well. After a call for proposals went out in January, a "preferred supplier" was chosen in June. ACG Corrections Services Incorporated will work with the department in developing a plan that will outline the number of institutions, style and locations, appropriate security levels and core programs for inmates. Once a plan is in place, decisions on the operation of the facilities can then be made. At the close of the year, the consultation process was in full swing. The judiciary, barristers' society, staff, municipalities, police, offenders and community groups are being consulted. Along with a full analysis of current facilities, alternatives to incarceration (such as electronic monitoring) will be explored. A plan is expected to be completed in the spring of 1997. In February, Dr. John C. Butt became the chief medical examiner for the Province of Nova Scotia. Dr. Butt's extensive experience in pathology and forensic medicine spans more than 20 years. Dr. Butt is the former chief medical examiner for the Province of Alberta, where he initiated extensive changes in the reporting, investigative and recording systems on certification of sudden death in that province. Here in Nova Scotia, Dr. Butt has recently initiated the first training symposium for medical examiners. The training opportunity was very well received, and it is intended that more will follow. More appointments were announced in February, with the appointments of Claudine MacDonald and Castor Williams as Provincial Court Judges. Both individuals have been actively involved in their communities, and have made important contributions to the legal community in Nova Scotia. With these appointments, the judiciary continues to be more reflective of the community it serves. A 10 year initiative to upgrade court facilities began in March with the announcement of the consultant chosen to review the requirements for court and justice-related offices throughout the province. John K. Dobbs & Associates, architects and facility planners, in partnership with Ojolick Associates, will work with government in developing the courthouse/renovation program. The plan will provide advice on the replacement or renovation of court facilities, and will help to ensure current operational needs are met and appropriate court facilities are developed into the 21st century. In May, a compensation package for victims of institutional abuse was put forward. The Government of Nova Scotia put aside $33.3 million for compensation, and expected up to 500 people to come forward. The range of compensation varied depending on the degree of abuse suffered, with 12 categories for compensation in total. In November, the process was put on hold in order to take stock of the program. The time out was called to address the burgeoning number of claimants and to assess the new information relating to Shelburne found in the government's central registry. The resumption of the program, with some modifications, was announced Dec. 6. The commitment to provide compensation to all who were abused was reiterated, and the levels of compensation remained unchanged. By year end, a new statement protocol was being developed to ensure the integrity of the criminal prosecution is protected and perpetrators are brought to justice. The results of a review of Legal Aid were unveiled in May. The review was struck to examine the structure and practices of legal aid, and to identify the most appropriate means to deliver services in light of fiscal restraints. The mandate of the review team was not to make cuts, but rather to recommend opportunities to redesign delivery so that appropriate services can be provided. The team suggested that much of the targeted pending reduction over the next two fiscal years can be accommodated without a cut in service. The team suggested that could be accomplished through reduced spending on certificates (or referrals to the private bar) and with a reduction in administrative costs and overheads. The government's comprehensive strategy to address family violence reached its first anniversary in September. The goal of the multi-faceted program is to improve the justice system's response to family violence through implementation of policies and training for justice workers. Support services for victims have also been enhanced in communities across Nova Scotia. More than 2,200 justice workers will be trained as part of this initiative, with a total of $500,000 provided to a number of programs for victim support. Nova Scotia's newest judge was appointed in October, 1996. Flora Inglis Buchan became a judge of the Family Court in Halifax. Judge Buchan is very active in the community, serving as a director of the Nova Scotia Legal Aid Commission and as co-chair of the gender equality committee of the Nova Scotia Barristers Society. During the course of the past year, we initiated a Summary Offences Court in the Halifax area. It became operational in April, and has been extremely successful. It diverts the summary offence matters from the Provincial Court docket, so that the more serious cases can be heard in a speedier manner. The Adult Diversion Program has continued to prove its success during the past year. Plans to expand the program across the province are in place, and it is expected the expansion will take place early in the new year. The program diverts relatively minor cases from the criminal justice process after charges are laid, but prior to a court appearance. The case is referred by police to the probation officers, who then determine what steps can be taken to resolve the matter. The process examines the needs of victims and offenders by using various community resources to satisfactorily resolve the damage caused by the offence. This can include restitution, letters of apology, community service work and counselling. Further efforts in the area of restorative justice are planned for the coming year. It has been an extremely active year at the department, we are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead, and hope that the coming year is one of peace and prosperity. -30- trp Jan. 3, 1997 - 12:15 p.m.