More Crown attorneys to be hired in Man.

Manitoba's attorney generalhas announced a huge increase in the number of Crown attorneys for the province, but the ToryOpposition is suggesting the development is a "death bed conversion" for an NDPgovernment heading into an election year.

Fifty-three new prosecutors and 29 paralegal and clerical staff will be added by the end of 2016, Attorney General Andrew Swan announced on Thursday.

"Improved prosecutions, as a result of our investment, will help ensure that people who commit crimes get the sentences they deserve."

In addition to the 17.5 prosecution and 16.5 support staff positions already added since 2009, 10 prosecutors and seven paralegal and clerical staff will also be added in 2011-12, making a grand totalof 70 prosecutors and 45 support staff to be added by 2016, Swan said.

There are currently approximately 122 crowns in the prosecution department.

Lisa Carson, president of the Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys (MACA), called the announcement a huge relief for prosecutors. She said the workload and stress on staff has been difficult, causing illnesses and burnout.

"The commitment made by the government [Thursday] will allow Crown prosecutors in Manitoba to perform their jobs effectively and efficiently in order to best serve the people of Manitoba in ensuring that cases are properly assessed, prepared and prosecuted," she said.

Unstated cost draws criticism

Reaction to the announcement was swift, with Progressive Conservative Justice Critic Kelvin Goertzen saying the move to hire more Crowns exposes a political weakness on behalf of the government.

"I think what's happened is a bit of an election death-bed conversion on behalf of the NDP where they realized they've got a strong political problem one that's been there for a long time," he said.

Goertzen said he also questioned why the province couldn't say how much the new prosecutors would cost.

"When you come forward with an announcement and you have no idea what it's going to cost, it's like building a stadium I guess," he said, taking a jab at the ongoing discussions the province is having with development company Creswin over the construction of a new stadium at the University of Manitoba.

Darren Sawchuk, president of the Manitoba's Criminal DefenceLawyers Association, said hiring additional Crown attorneys is a good step, but more needs to be done.

Sawchuk said more money must be put in to provincial legal aid and additional judges are also needed to hear cases.

MACA filed a grievance about staffing shortages in 2006, recommending the province hire 70 additional Crown lawyers and 70 support staff. It held off going to arbitration in favor of working with the government to find a solution.

However, those efforts went nowhere and MACA was set to begin a public arbitration process with the province on Oct. 20.

The hearingwas delayed on its first day, though, as the two sidesmet behind closed doors and reached the agreement announced Thursday.