Crown Rob Parsons gives scathing description of Labrador court system
A senior Crown attorney, who's leaving his post in Happy Valley-Goose Bay this month, says there are long-standing issues in the Labrador town that's keeping prosecutors from staying.
Rob Parsons' last day at the Crown attorney's office in Happy Valley-Goose Bay is Jan. 23, leaving the already small office three-lawyers short.
A full complement of staff is five attorneys.
"The inability to recruit and to retain Crown attorneys has a daily impact on my job, my ability to assist in the delivery of justice in Happy Valley-Goose Bay," Parsons told Labrador Morning.
Parsons, who worked for nine months in the Labrador town, said the main reason the Department of Justice and Public Safety has trouble hiring and retaining lawyers is the low rate of pay.
According to the Newfoundland and Labrador Crown Attorneys' Association, prosecutors in the province make the lowest in the country.
On Wednesday, association president Sheldon Steeves said in a written statement that high caseloads and low pay continue to contribute to hamper hiring.
"This isn't a Tory issue, this isn't a Liberal issue, this is a 30-year issue in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and Labrador in general," said Parsons.
"If you can find an apartment to rent — if you're lucky enough to do that — you're going to pay an incredible amount of monthly rent," he explains, "And when you go down to the grocery store, you're going to be staggered at the difference at what you've paid here and what you paid where you came from."
'Substandard' work conditions
On top of low pay and high rental rates, Parsons said there are other factors at play, which would deter Crown attorneys from making a trip to the Big Land.
"The office workers, the clerks, the judges all have to work in an environment that is substandard," he said. "Security is non-existent. The sheriffs have a very difficult job down there. The office that they have ... I mean you go in there, it's a broom closet, really, is what it is."
"It would not be uncommon to see a 16-year-old sexual assault victim sitting two chairs away from her accused."
Unless attorney's get a bump in pay, Parsons suspects the scenario will continue to repeat itself.
"I came back from Ontario hoping — at a salary loss, but I'm in a position where I can do that — hoping I can make a difference," he said.
"I got to the conclusion that leaving may be the biggest difference i can make."
