Legislation to streamline the court system in Manitoba has been introduced by the government.
Justice Minister Cliff Cullen announced on
- increasing the value of matters that can be dealt with at small claims court from $10,000 to $15,000;
- requiring the Court of Queen’s Bench and Court of Appeal to file annual reports, as is currently done by the Provincial Court of Manitoba;
- setting a mandatory retirement age of 75 for provincial court judges and masters of the Court of Queen’s Bench;
and streamlining the appointment process for provincial court judges, masters and judicial justices of the peace.
“This legislation puts forward some common-sense changes that would make our courts more effective, more responsive to the needs of Manitobans and more accountable to citizens,” said Cullen. “It would also implement a simpler process to make judicial appointments and set a mandatory retirement age for Manitoba judges.”
Increasing the dollar amount that small claims can deal with brings the court in line with limits set in other Canadian jurisdictions. Manitoba’ monetary limit was among the lowest in the country. This change will also free up higher courts to hear more serious matters the minister noted.
