FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MARCH 1, 2005

VICTORIA, B.C. – The Canadian Bar Association B.C. Branch calls on the Government of B.C. to withdraw Bill 21, the Crown Counsel Agreement Continuation Act, which overturns two consecutive arbitration awards that direct government to increase compensation to Crown Counsel.

“The government has a $1.4 billion surplus but is telling Crown Counsel that it will use all means possible to avoid honouring the Taylor and Jones arbitration awards that provide for fair compensation of B.C.’s prosecutors,” said Michael Woodward, CBABC President. “These men and women are essential to the effective operation of our justice system. They deserve fair compensation and an honourable negotiation process to resolve disputes with their employer, the Government of B.C.”

“The actions of the government have created a dysfunctional labour relations environment that does nothing to improve the justice system for the people of B.C.

We call on the government to immediately withdraw Bill 21, and to implement the Taylor and Jones arbitration awards.”

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About the Canadian Bar Association: The Canadian Bar Association is the professional organization responsible for representing the interests of lawyers, representing more than 33,000 members across Canada and more than 4,600 lawyers in British Columbia.

For further information: please contact:
Caroline Nevin, CBABC Associate Executive Director
Tel: 604.687.3404
cnevin@bccba.org