Manitoba PCs propose dedicated Crown unit for property crime

The Progressive Conservative party is proposing the creation of a Crown prosecutor's office to specifically address property crime in Manitoba. Interim party leader Konrad Narth announced the plan on Wednesday, flanked by colleagues in front of a boarded-up 7-Eleven on Main Street. The office would hire 25 prosecutors dedicated to property theft, which Narth claims is a growing problem in both Winnipeg and rural areas.

Under the NDP government, Manitoba's crime rate has been 81% higher than the national average, with property crime representing 58% of all crimes committed—a 25% increase since the NDP took office, according to Narth. Winnipeg's rising property crime has forced many businesses to close their doors due to increased costs and workforce shortages.

The Opposition party's justice critic, Wayne Balcaen, cited the province's underspending of its justice budget by $34 million last year, suggesting that unused funds could be allocated to the new prosecutor unit. However, the party has been vague about attracting prosecutors when it faces current staffing challenges. Ben Wickstrom, vice-president of prosecutions for the Manitoba Association of Crown Attorneys, acknowledged that the justice system is overwhelmed and more help is needed across the board.

He questioned the government's own numbers on hiring 30 net new attorneys since the NDP came into power in 2023, totaling 62 Crown attorneys. Wickstrom suggested that one-third of this year's underspent justice budget would cover the salaries of 50 new prosecutors, which he views as necessary to keep the justice system functioning.

The Progressive Conservative party's announcement is the first in a series of measures aimed at addressing crime, but Narth emphasized that it demonstrates their willingness to listen to Manitobans.