The province met with the Alberta Crown Attorneys’ Association throughout April over concerns about a number of issues, including prosecutor pay. As a result, a comprehensive analysis of market rates across the country was completed which showed that prosecutor compensation was noticeably lower in Alberta.
And now Alberta’s Crown prosecutors will receive market adjustments to make their pay competitive with other provinces and the federal prosecution service.
Justice Minister Tyler Shandro
The province said it will engage with the Alberta Crown Attorneys’ Association over the next few months on a framework to build a “strong working relationship.” Additional supports for Crown prosecutors will be explored, including looking at the possibility of dedicated on-call mental health professionals who specialize in trauma and post-traumatic stress.
“We are focused on bringing our per capita spending in line with other provinces,” Finance Minister Travis Toews said. “That also means ensuring salaries in the Alberta Crown Prosecution Service are competitive, so we can retain and attract the most experienced and capable prosecutors to keep criminal matters moving through the courts and ensure our justice system serves Albertans.”
In its 2020 budget, Alberta committed to hire 50 new Crown prosecutors over three years, and the province said there are 35 more trial prosecutors in place than in 2019. The province also more than doubled the number of articling positions (from fewer than 10 to 20) as part of growing the ranks of Alberta prosecutors and filling vacancies.
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