October 6, 2008

TAMAN INQUIRY REPORT RELEASED– – –
Province Acts Quickly To Implement Recommendations: Chomiak


Attorney General Dave Chomiak released the Taman Inquiry report today and immediately began implementing the recommendations of commissioner Roger Salhany.

“The family of Crystal Taman and the public had important questions that cried out for answers,” said Chomiak. “I’d like to thank commissioner Salhany and his staff for their diligent work in seeking those answers. This report provides us with sound advice that will lead to improvements in the justice system and restore the public’s confidence in it.”

In light of the findings of the Taman Inquiry, the attorney general offered his condolences to the family of Crystal Taman. “This has been a long and difficult journey for them, and today marks an important milestone in honouring Crystal Taman’s memory and in her family’s dedication to seeing justice done,” Chomiak said.

The province has moved quickly to implement Salhany’s 14 recommendations. The province will:
· Refer the allegations against Harry Bakema and Kenneth Graham to the RCMP “E” Division in British Columbia for further investigation. An out-of-province prosecutor will work with the RCMP.
· Put in place an Independent Investigations Unit to investigate alleged criminal activity of a member of a police service. The new unit will be established in a new Provincial Police Act to be introduced in the spring.
· Strengthen victim’s services by amending the Victims’ Bill of Rights to expand the rights of parents and children of victims, and provide enhanced services to victims including assistance in writing victim impact statements.
· Amend prosecutions policies to underline the importance of presenting the judge with as much information as possible about the foundation of a guilty plea or plea bargain. The Provincial Court Liaison Committee, chaired by Chief Judge Wyant, will be asked to provide advice on the new policies.
· Strengthen the independent prosecutor process by formalizing training for independent prosecutors on the Victims’ Bill of Rights, amend the policy on independent prosecutors as recommended and establish a roster of experienced criminal lawyers, independent from Manitoba Justice, to provide advice to independent prosecutors when they need it.

The province also announced today that, effective immediately, the RCMP will take over management of the East St. Paul police department. The RCMP will oversee the transition of the East St. Paul police force into an RCMP detachment by the year’s end.

In December 2007, the province announced the commission of inquiry into the investigation, prosecution and justice services provided to the families in relation to the death of Crystal Taman.

Conducted by former justice of the Ontario Superior Court Justice Roger Salhany, the inquiry sat for 30 days, hearing from a total of 50 witnesses. The inquiry’s budget was set at $2.6 million.

Copies of the report will be available online at www.tamaninquiry.ca. Additional paper copies will be available starting on Oct. 15 at Room 1110 - 405 Broadway in Winnipeg.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION ATTACHED