News release

Crowns Accept Salary-Setting Proposal

Public Prosecution Service

Nova Scotia's Crown attorneys and the provincial government have reached an agreement on a salary-setting mechanism for the province's prosecutors.

"This is a banner day for the province's Public Prosecution Service," said Attorney General Michael Baker. "It means a more positive, constructive relationship between Crown attorneys and government and provides a solution to the long-standing issue of how wages are set for this independent service."

The long-standing salary issue was addressed in an independent review of the service conducted last year by retired judge Fred Kaufman. Mr. Kaufman urged that Crown attorneys and government come up with an agreement on their own. He said this option was preferable to the alternative of amending the Civil Service Collective Bargaining Act to establish a bargaining unit of staff lawyers.

"This government has always been firmly committed to resolving this issue," said Mr. Baker. "And, I am delighted we were able to reach this agreement on our own, as Mr. Kaufman urged, without having to resort to legislation."

The agreement outlines a procedure for discussion, negotiation and arbitration aimed at determining salaries for all non- managerial Crown attorneys within the Public Prosecution Service. It also provides a mechanism for dispute resolution and formally recognizes the Nova Scotia Crown Attorneys Association as the representative body for the 65 non-managerial Crown attorneys in 16 offices across the province.

"Crown attorneys perform an important service for Nova Scotia and Nova Scotians," said Mr. Baker. "Prosecuting those accused of crimes such as murder, sexual assault, robbery and the like is vital to the public safety and compensation for doing so should be fair and just."

The agreement was hammered out by a working group established by government in December, comprising representatives of the Crown Attorneys' Association, the Department of Human Resources and management of the Public Prosecution Service. Now that the working group has the go-ahead, it will begin the groundwork for actual salary negotiations.

Mr. Baker made the announcement today with Anne Calder of the Nova Scotia Crown Attorneys Association.

Last year, Nova Scotia Crown attorneys prosecuted some 42,000 cases including 56 murders, 313 robberies, 465 sexual assaults, 2,200 break and enters and 4,600 thefts.

"It's time these individuals and their contributions to the public service be recognized and appreciated," said Mr. Baker.