Monday, February 15, 2010

Council Concerned over Crown Office Closure

The Region of Queens Municipal Council will put up a fight to keep a Crown prosecutor's office in Liverpool. Amid reports the office could be one of a number considered for closure, Mayor John Leefe is going to the top. He's writing the Director of Crown Prosecutions expressing councils concerns over the potential office closure. Leefe says such a move will impact witnesses for the Crown, costs to the defendant, the RCMP and the Municipality itself. He says it would pose a challenge in terms of time and transportation. The Mayor sought input from the Region's solicitor Jim Dipersio and Queen's RCMP Staff Sergeant Bruno Deveau . Leefe says there are all kinds of very valid reasons with respect that the justice system functions properly that the Crown office remains in Liverpool, and that will be his core message to Martin Herschorn.
As well, Leefe has taken the matter up with MLA Vicki Conrad who plans to speak to the Justice Minister on the issue.