‘Murders, home invasions, robberies’: Cases at risk if Crown prosecutors strike, says attorney association

The group representing Crown prosecutors in Alberta says they’re getting close to walking off the job.

That could have real world impacts for Albertans and a court system clogged after two years of the pandemic.

The president of the Alberta Crown Attorney Association tells CityNews some cases are in danger of not being prosecuted.

“That’s everything from murders, home invasions, robberies – anything you can think of,” said Dallas Sopko.

Sopko claims at the heart of the dispute with the province is a desire from most members to have collective bargaining rights, mental health supports and competitive wages with other provinces.

Crown prosecutors in B.C. and Ontario have collective rights, and Sopko says those provinces are taking prosecutors from Alberta.

“When a senior prosecutor, someone who can handle murder cases or a child sexual assault case is deciding where to accept a job, would you go to Ontario where you could make 30-40 per cent more, have a more manageable workload, and mental supports? Or would you go to Alberta where you get none of those things.”

CityNews reached out to Alberta’s justice ministry for comment.

“I have instructed the Department of Justice to invite the Alberta Crown Attorney Association (ACAA) to an enhanced consultation early next week to seek ways to collaboratively address the concerns,” wrote Minister Tyler Shandro.

While both sides are hoping to negotiate before a potential strike, Sopko says members are ready for it – as well as the consequences. That could include back-to-work legislation or being held in contempt of court.

“If it results in punishment for some prosecutors or all prosecutors, I believe we’re willing to accept that punishment if it means Alberta will be a safer place in the long term,” he said.