Saskatchewan lawyers say judge shortage is hobbling court system, blame Ottawa

(Pixabay photo)

SASKATOON — The Saskatchewan Trial Lawyers Association says a shortage of federally-appointed judges is hobbling the courts in the province.

Association president Nicholas Stooshinoff says court rulings are not being delivered in a timely manner.

He says some cases are even being adjourned because there are not enough judges.

Stooshinoff, who is a defence lawyer, says the problem is the federal government’s responsibility.

Federal Justice Minister Jody Wilson-Raybould’s office says she appointed three judges to the Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatchewan in recent months and will appoint more shortly.

There are currently four vacancies at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Saskatchewan, which has the third largest amount of vacancies in Canada.

“We are seeing cases, even chambers cases, that are now being adjourned altogether because we don’t have an adequate (amount of) judges,” Stooshinoff said Wednesday.

“This is not an acceptable situation for the people of Saskatchewan.”

There are 12 Queen’s Bench judge vacancies in Alberta and six in Manitoba.