The province says Grande Prairie already has enough Crown prosecutors.
Enforcement Services Manager Chris Manuel reached out last month with concerns about staffing issues, especially as the city has approved adding another 17 police officers in the near future. Manuel pointed out that a review last fall found that the number of Crown prosecutors in GP doesn’t represent its rapid population growth.
“The City of Grande Prairie is concerned that the local Crown Prosecutors’ Office may be experiencing prosecution capacity problems due to staffing and there is some concern this may be affecting the administration of justice in our community and diminishing the effectiveness of our policing investments.”
In his response, Chief Crown Prosecutor Orest Yereniuk argued that the six prosecutors the city has right now is the most in its history, and that three of them are at a senior level. He adds that that their travel is minimal compared to other regional offices.
“We presently have shortages of Crowns in six Regional Crown Offices but not in Grande Prairie… I suggest that the Crown Prosecutors in Grande Prairie are more than capable of handling any and all cases that arise in their areas.”
City council has approved sending a letter with their concerns to higher levels of government.
