Earlier this fall, the MGEU met with Justice Minister Andrew Swan and senior government officials regarding planned improvements to Manitoba Sheriffs services. Since that meeting, the union has had subsequent talks with the government to clarify points on a number of issues and just recently received additional details. Here are some of the changes they’re planning to help reduce the strain on the justice system…
•The Minister says Manitoba Justice is continuing to work with the courts to expand the use of cameras in court to deal with a number of matters and is evaluating with key stakeholders when the accused would be required to make a court appearance.
• The department has also launched a pilot program in Thompson to allow clients and their lawyers to meet via video-conference. The MGEU believes this practice should be rolled out in other areas as well (if not the entire province) to reduce the heavy workload sheriffs are currently dealing with
Province Committed to Hiring Additional Sheriffs
•For a number of years, the MGEU has been advocating for the need to hire more sheriffs. Manitoba Justice has said it will convert six part-time positions to full-time and fill those six part-time vacancies with new employees.
•They also plan to fill ten additional vacant positions with new staff and possibly hire ten more personnel in the New Year. The union has been told that some of the hiring is already occurring. Clearly, hiring more personnel is something that is sorely needed in order to ensure safety and efficiency in the services sheriffs provide.
The MGEU’s goal is to continue to lobby government to make the necessary changes to ensure sheriffs have the tools they need – this includes addressing the subpar vehicles currently in use around the province.