(Brent Bosker/650 CKOM)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Provincial Investment

Province hiring victim witness specialist for Melfort area ahead of inquests into James Smith attack

May 12, 2023 | 11:01 AM

The province is aiming to hire a victim witness specialist for Melfort and the surrounding area.

These workers support children and vulnerable people who are required to testify in court by helping reduce fear, anxiety, and any further trauma. They also provide advice and training to police-based victim services.

“These specialists served over a thousand clients last year in regional prosecution offices in La Ronge, Meadow Lake, North Battleford, Prince Albert, Regina, Saskatoon, and Yorkton,” said Bronwyn Eyre, Saskatchewan’s Justice Minister, and Attorney General.

This specialist will be a key support for those asked to speak during the upcoming inquests into the stabbing attack on the James Smith Cree Nation and in the Village of Weldon.

Along with the specialist, the province plans on hiring part-time administrative support. In total, they are allocating $134,000, bringing the total investment from the province for these types of positions in 2022/23 to $790,000.

BDO Debt Solutions

Deck the Halls Without Breaking the Bank: Tips for a Budget-Friendly Holiday

6h ago

RPCN Artist

'Felt like a movie': Chris Chipak making waves in the art world

6h ago

MMA

"The Lion" roars in New Brunswick

7h ago

The funding is coming from the province’s Victims’ Fund. Most of the money in the fund comes from victim surcharges paid by offenders on federal and provincial offences. In 2021/22, over $13 million from the fund was used on different services such as support for people experiencing domestic violence and families of missing persons.

­__

Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow