Staff shortages at courts prompted an inmate to file an extraordinary motion to force the courts to hear his request for bail, which had been delayed because a clerk was unavailable.
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Mike Boudreau Jr., attorney
“The shortage of clerks is a recurring problem, not to say systemic. The situation is unacceptable in a democratic society,” Me Mike Junior Boudreau warned in a court document filed last Friday.
The lawyer wanted to force the court to respect the rights of his client, who was arrested in a domestic violence case. He was due to attend his bail hearing on Friday, except the hearing couldn’t go ahead, although everyone agreed to proceed.
“A judge reported that no clerk was available to hear both that and that case [sic] other defendants, we can read in the application. The situation therefore made it impossible to proceed [sic]. »
In view of this, the lawyer therefore filed an urgent motion, claiming that his client’s detention was unlawful. Ironically, this type of case involving the Quebec Attorney General urgently needs a hearing, and Me Boudreau was even able to summarily invoke it.
new beginnings
The case was later adjourned until this week, but the court has since agreed to conditionally release the defendant.
Such cases are likely to become more common due to skills shortages as workers move to the federal, local, and private sectors, where they are paid significantly better.
The carnage has continued in recent days, with the announcement of the departure of a special constable, two bailiffs, a secretary and a criminal complaints team leader.
And only in Montreal.
“The Treasury must acknowledge [le problème] “, said the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Quebec, Jacques R. Fournier, two weeks ago.
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