Alberta pauses proposed traffic court changes for up to 120 days
Alberta is pausing a move to Phase 2 of the Provincial Administrative Penalties Act and Justice Transformation Initiative next month, which would have replaced traffic court with an online process.
"We have heard the concerns Albertans raised when a training document was reported on. It’s important that people understand the training document did not reflect what the program is and what the benefits are for Albertans," read a joint statement from Transportation Minister Rajan Sawhney and acting Minister of Justice and Solicitor General Sonya Savage.
"We will take the next 90 to 120 days to ensure that we communicate and consult with Albertans and they are educated on the changes proposed in Phase 2. We will listen to what Albertans have to say and we will share the benefits of these changes with them."
The changes were proposed to streamline the process and free up more court and policing resources, according to the government, but the plan drew sharp criticism.
"In essence what it is that, instead of you having the right to a trial, you do not get to go to trial. Instead of being presumed innocent until proven guilty, you're presumed guilty until proven innocent," Charlie Pester, a former police officer who currently fights traffic tickets with POINTTS Calgary earlier told CTV News.
The province said about two million traffic tickets would be diverted away from court by the move, freeing up at least 10 prosecutors who would be able to handle criminal matters instead.
“We’re spending $10 million to hire 50 new prosecutors and support staff, and prioritizing their placement to better serve rural Albertans," read the statement.
"We’ve introduced remote hearings, trials, and sentencings, and allowed for the email filing of court documents. What is clear is the status quo is not working. It’s not working for our police who are caught up for hours waiting in courts. It’s not working for our court system that is forced to delay serious criminal matters to address speeding tickets. And, it’s not working for those Albertans living with the consequences of crime in their lives and communities."
The statement added "Albertans will always have the right to challenge tickets, and due process under the law."
"Albertans will always have the ability to dispute fines or make their payments quickly and efficiently," it read.
"Our government is committed to ensuring that we fix the very real problem facing our justice system. We need our police to fight crime, not sit in courtrooms; and we need our courts to prosecute real criminals."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
BREAKING McGill University seeks emergency injunction to remove pro-Palestinian encampment from campus
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Friday that Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
More than half the Canadians once detained in Syrian camps for suspected ISIS family members have returned home
A total of 29 Canadians have been freed from detention camps in northeast Syria and brought back to Canada since human rights advocates began lobbying for their release years ago.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.