COVID-19 response disrupts justice systems in Nunavut, Nunavik

The travelling circuit courts that serve Nunavut and Nunavik will face serious disruptions for at least eight to 10 weeks as justice system administrators act to limit the potential spread of COVID-19 in their regions.

In Nunavut, all upcoming jury trials throughout the territory are suspended until May 31, Neil Sharkey, the Nunavut chief justice, said in a directive issued on Monday, March 16.

“The Nunavut Court of Justice is following a suite of recommendations, and out of an abundance of caution, is suspending jury trials, as the selection process often requires hundreds of potential jurors to attend court at the same time,” Sharkey said.

This directive applies to all jury trials that have not yet started, the directive states.

At the same time, all Nunavut residents who have received a summons for jury duty are now released from the summons.

Residents who want more information about jury selection can call the juror information line at 867-979-6103.

In an earlier directive, Sharkey announced that all travelling circuit courts outside Iqaluit that have not yet started are suspended, also until May 31.

At the same time, court is continuing normally in Iqaluit at the Nunavut Court of Justice building.

If you have symptoms, seek help

But the directive says that if you are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, or wish to ask whether you should isolate yourself or seek medical help, you should contact your local public health unit before going to the courthouse.

“There are currently no confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Nunavut. However, the courts are putting plans in place to prepare for the likelihood that we’ll see confirmed cases in this territory in the future,” the Nunavut court said.

To that end, those in Iqaluit who have been told by public health or by a doctor to self-isolate due to possible exposure to the coronavirus should not come to the courthouse in person, the directive says.

Instead, you should immediately contact one of these offices below to tell the court that you have been advised not to attend, and then follow their directions:

• Court Registry (Iqaluit): 867-975-6100 or toll free at 1-866-286-0546

• Maliiganik Tuksiiniarvik (Legal Aid): 867-975-5377 or toll free at 1-866-202-5593.

• The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (Crown): 867-975-4600

The court will remain open to the public and the media, but you should not go to the Nunavut Justice Centre in Iqaluit under the following circumstances:

• You experience COVID-19 symptoms such as cough, fever or difficulty breathing.

• You have been advised to self-isolate.

• You have travelled from an area under a travel health advisory in the past 14 days.

• You fall into any other category that may be set out on the Nunavut Department of Health website.

For Nunavik, urgent matters only

As for Nunavik, Quebec’s justice minister and attorney general, Sonia Lebel, announced a “significant reduction” in court activities across the province, including Nunavik.

“Only urgent matters will be heard,” Lebel’s news release said.

That also means that jury selection is suspended as of March 16.

“Persons who have been called to participate as jurors are advised not to appear in courthouses,” the news release said.

At the same time, the Quebec justice ministry has published a long list of urgent civil and criminal processes that will continue to be held in Quebec courts.

That includes things like the issuance of search warrants, bail hearings for accused persons who are in detention, the continuation of trials involving violence against children, and the continuation of jury trials that have already started.

The Quebec justice ministry says that procedures have been put in place to inform people whose files may be postponed due to COVID-19 measures.

And they recommend that for more information, you should contact your lawyer or the justice ministry’s client communication centre at 1-866-536-5140.