'Creative solution' needed to keep Crown attorneys in Labrador, says Judy Manning

Justice Minister Judy Manning says the government is trying to find ways to keep crown attorneys in Labrador.

The province has confirmed two more lawyers are leaving the region.

One of them is senior crown attorney Rob Parsons. After just nine months in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Parsons is getting ready to move elsewhere.

Parsons said the job has taken a toll on him because there aren't enough resources available.

"On a personal level, very real frustration. Late nights, loss of sleep, wondering what you're going to do for a court two days down the road," he told CBC News.

"Who's going to the trials on Thursday? Who's going to meet with that sexual assault victim to get her ready for court?"

Unique challenges

Parsons said crown attorneys in Newfoundland and Labrador are paid less than those in almost every other province.

He said this leads to high turnover rates which have plagued the legal system for decades.

"When you then factor in the cost of living, mainly the cost of renting, the availability of renting, the exorbitant costs of food up here, it becomes abundantly apparent at that point that the challenges you would expect to flow from that do indeed flow from that," he said.

Parsons thinks more money needs to be invested into the justice system in Labrador to keep attorneys living there.

On Monday evening, the Department of Justice and Public Safety confirmed that another lawyer had left the prosecutor's office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

Creative solutions

Justice and Public Safety Minister Judy Manning admits finances are tight, but thinks the problems in Labrador go beyond money.

"These issues are very compelling and we certainly have been working on creative solutions within the department."

Manning said that for now, crown attorneys from St. Johns are flying in and out of Labrador to help with case loads.