Few judges, court worker vacancies behind Nunavut court backlog
Nunavut’s justice minister says 10 out of 26 Inuit court worker positions are vacant
Nunavut’s justice minister says that high caseloads and few staff are to blame for court backlogs that keep offenders, victims and families waiting.
In an exchange in Nunavut’s Legislative Assembly Monday, Uqqumiut MLA Gordon Kautuk asked Justice Minister George Hickes if his department was considering more resources to improve wait times, but Hickes said the trouble is in filling the positions they already have.
He said 10 out of 26 Inuit court worker positions remain vacant, roles that help provide Inuktitut interpretation and cultural context for people navigating the legal system.
And there are six judges to preside over more than 50 jury trials scheduled for 2026.
“I’ll continue to commit to seeing if I can streamline ways of working with my partners, working with the Nunavut courts to see if there’s ways to address some of the backlog,” Hickes said.
He said there is one vacant judge position, and they also have about 50 deputy judges from across the country to support proceedings in Nunavut.
Kautuk said he’s heard concerns from several constituents about the length of time it takes for a matter to proceed to trial.
“I recognize that justice cannot be rushed,” he said. “However, long delays can have a negative impact.”
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: All-Inuit law firm in Iqaluit seeks to break down barriers to justice system, CBC News
Finland: Finland, Sweden boost security in North with new police cooperation agreement, Eye on the Arctic
Sweden: Drug smugglers exploiting snow and ice in northern Sweden, Radio Sweden
