Manitoba RCMP and Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen announced new resources and funding to address violent crime related to serious, illegal firearms offences and organized crime on Tuesday.
“Our government is committed to improving public safety by ensuring the justice system has the resources needed to provide a timely and consistent response to violent crime,” said Goertzen.
“This increased support for prosecutions is about going after illegal guns and targeting organized crime that is causing fear in communities and victimizing Manitobans.
“Together with calls for federal changes to the Criminal Code on bail and other measures, meaningful steps can be taken to stop those committing violent crime in our province.”
More than $1.4 million is being funneled into Manitoba Prosecution Service (MPS) to help create 10 new positions to address firearms trafficking, manufacturing and related violent crime in Manitoba, the minister noted.
These new positions will help to further develop auditing processing for existing firearms cases and deepen expertise in handling prosecutions.
“This funding will keep the Manitoba government’s focus firmly on issues related to the use of illegal firearms, preventing and combatting gang violence, and addressing the issue of illegal or smuggled guns in our province,” said Goertzen.
“Our government has been consistent in its messaging that the federal government’s approach to gun crimes unnecessarily targets lawful gun owners while having little impact on criminals.
“With this support, Manitoba Prosecution Service will have additional resources and capacity to prosecute those committing serious offences with illegal firearms.”