Statement by Saskatchewan Justice Minister Gordon Wyant on Duty Counsel Day
Hello. I’m Gordon Wyant, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General. I’m honoured to join you in celebrating the first annual national Duty Counsel Day.
I’d like to first thank you, the legal aid associations across Canada for helping to create awareness. Duty counsel work is an integral part of our justice system as it protects the rights of Canadians. Lawyers providing legal services to ensure access to justice for the people of Saskatchewan in an efficient and compassionate way.
Legal aid duty counsel service helps more than 10,000 Saskatchewan residents every year navigate the justice system.
The duty counsel lawyers in Saskatchewan are bringing about novel approaches to providing those services and are currently piloting duty counsel services in the area of child protection in the city of Regina.
Duty counsel plays an important role in shaping how the justice system is presented and perceived by the general public.
So, on behalf of the Government of Saskatchewan, I want to recognize the lawyers providing duty counsel service across the province and the country as a whole for their tireless efforts in providing and upholding the fairness and integrity of our justice system.
Thank you for all you do.
