Manitoba Justice is responsible for the
administration of justice in Manitoba, under the direction of the
Minister of Justice and Attorney General. The department provides
public safety and security services. The major operating divisions
are: Manitoba Prosecutions Service, Courts, Corrections and
Criminal Justice. Other significant units include Legislative
Counsel, Administration and Finance, Policy Development and Analysis
and Civil Justice, which has several branches and independent
agencies. Click
here for information on
the department’s Annual Report. In addition to our core criminal justice
responsibilities, Manitoba Justice is responsible for other services
including:
The Department also provides funding to a
number of arm's length bodies including:
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Human Rights Commission
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Legal Aid Manitoba
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Law Reform Commission
Aboriginal Justice Implementation
Commission
The Manitoba Government established the independent Aboriginal
Justice Implementation Commission in November of 1999 to develop an
action plan on practical, cost effective and attainable methods of
implementing the recommendations of the Aboriginal Justice Inquiry (AJI).
The AJI was established in April 1988 to investigate the condition
of Aboriginal people in the justice system.
Administration and Finance
Administration and Finance is responsible for the department’s
fiscal control and human resource services. Click
here for employment
information.
It also provides many administrative services
and information technology support, including the co-ordination of
The Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FIPPA)
access requests, website management and governance of funding for
the Legal Aid Services Society.
Community Justice
Manitoba takes a balanced approach to justice, the traditional court
system and the community based justice system. The Community
Justice branch supports over 60 justice committees and several
community based justice programs.
Civil Justice
Civil Justice consists of several branches and agencies:
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Civil Legal Services functions as the law firm
to the Government of Manitoba. It provides legal services to all
government departments, agencies, boards, commissions, committees
and government corporations that do not have their own legal
counsel. The branch does not provide legal services to the public.
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The Family Law branch provides legal services
and advice about family law to government departments. It helps
government develop family law policy, programs and legislative
initiatives. It also works to increase awareness of family law
initiatives and issues among the general public and the legal
profession. For more information on family law, please visit Family
Justice.
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The Constitutional Law branch provides the
government with legal services in respect of constitutional
matters. Branch lawyers defend legislation and government programs
before the courts in response to constitutional challenges in both
civil and criminal cases. The branch also advises government
departments on the Constitution Act, including the Canadian Charter
of Rights and Freedoms. For more information on the Constitution
and the Charter, click here:
Constitution Acts 1867 to 1982
(English)
Constitution Acts 1867 to 1982
(French)
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The
Office of the Chief Medical Examiner
identifies situations involving risk to human life. The Chief
Medical Examiner (CME) investigates all unexpected, unexplained,
suspicious, violent and children's deaths in Manitoba. If your loved
one has died suddenly and you have been contacted by the CME, this
site will help you to understand the procedures followed before and
after an inquiry or investigation. To find out more click
here.
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The
Manitoba Human Rights Commission
(MHRC) is an independent agency under Civil Justice. It
operates under The Human Rights Code and works towards reducing
unreasonable discrimination and promoting equality of opportunity
and freedom from discrimination for all Manitobans. Have you been a
victim of unreasonable discrimination? Click
here
for more information
on the MHRC.
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The
Manitoba Law Reform Commission
(MLRC) is an independent agency of the Government of
Manitoba established by
The Law Reform Commission Act,
which issues public reports regarding modernization and improvement
to provincial laws.
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Legal Aid Manitoba is an
independent agency of the Government of Manitoba established by
The Legal Aid Services Society of Manitoba Act. Legal
Aid provides legal services to individuals, groups and organizations
who cannot otherwise afford the services of a lawyer.
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Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA) The Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA) is an independent agency
under Criminal Justice. If you have a complaint against a member(s)
of a municipal police force in Manitoba, you have a right to say
what happened and be listened to. The Law Enforcement Review Agency
is an independent non-police agency mandated to investigate public
complaints of abuse of authority by on-duty municipal police
officers, under the authority of
The Law Enforcement Review Act.
The RCMP have their own independent complaints process. If you have
a complaint about an RCMP officer, visit the
Commission for Public Complaints
Against the RCMP Web site.
Courts Division
Courts Division (Courts) provides the staff and services who operate
the courts in Manitoba. This includes staff such as court clerks
and sheriffs and services such as
Fine Collection and the
Maintenance Enforcement Program.
Corrections Division
Corrections Division (Corrections) is the largest division of
Manitoba Justice. It administers the sentences imposed by the courts
on offenders who are in custody or on probation. Click
on Corrections for more information.
Criminal Justice Division
The Criminal Justice Division (Criminal Justice) ensures adequate
police protection is available in all areas of Manitoba. It works
closely with the RCMP and municipal police forces. It also
administers crime prevention programs and a wide range of victims’
services, including court services. A general description of how the
Criminal legal process works can be found here.
Legislative Counsel
Legislative Counsel plays a central role in drafting bills for the
Legislative Assembly of Manitoba, whether they originate within
Manitoba Justice or with another department, agency, or a Private
Member of the Legislative Assembly.
Policy Development and Analysis
Policy Development and Analysis takes a leading role in developing
new legislation, policies and programs and provides advice to the
Minister of Justice and Attorney General and to other parts of the
department.
Manitoba Prosecutions Service
Division
The Manitoba Prosecutions Service (Prosecutions) prosecutes cases in
Winnipeg and over 60 other communities within Manitoba. A general
description of how the criminal legal process works can be found by
visiting the
Criminal Justice area.
Community Notification Advisory
Committee
Visit public notifications to learn about how Manitoba Justice
partners with other agencies to deliver community notifications
about high-risk sex offenders.
Organizational Chart
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