[9] Within these areas of concern, Manitoba Justice looks over the Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA), the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, and the Public Guardian and Trustee, among others.
[i][11] Authority for administering justice within each province and territory of Canada was assigned to provincial governments by section 92(14) of the federal Constitution Act, 1867.
[8] The Law Enforcement Review Agency (LERA) is an arm's-length, non-police body of the Criminal Justice Division that, under the authority of The Law Enforcement Review Act (TLERA), investigates public complaints against members of local/municipal police forces in Manitoba—particularly, abuses of authority by on-duty officers.
[8][2] LERA is located in Winnipeg and its current staff consists of the Commissioner, a registrar/administrative officer, a clerk, and 4 investigators.
In 1979, following MPC's investigation of an incident from 1976 that involved the (alleged) beating of a rape suspect by Winnipeg police officers, the Commission recommended a change in public complaint procedures.
[18] In March 1981, the Department of the Attorney General proposed for new legislation and, in November 1982, The Law Enforcement Review Act (Bill 2, 32nd Legislature) was introduced into the House.
This new law would require that all public complaints regarding the actions of an on-duty police officer be referred to the Commissioner who accesses it according to the Act.
In 1992, TLERA was amended, which included the establishment of the Law Enforcement Review Board (LERB); the MPC being dissolved; requiring the burden of proof; and more authority to the Commissioner to resolve complaints.
[23] Legal Aid Manitoba currently has offices in Winnipeg, Brandon, Dauphin, The Pas, and Thompson, with its personnel (including contracted private lawyers) regularly travelling to over 40 rural and northern communities.
[25] In the 1930s–40s, the Law Society of Manitoba established the first program in Canada to provide free aid for those who could not afford legal counsel.
In 1969, with growing demand for free legal aid, a roster of private bar lawyers were paid $50 daily to act as duty counsel at criminal intake court.
"[8][2] Consisting of 5 to 7 members appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, the Commission's membership is required to include a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench; a full-time student of the UManitoba Faculty of Law; "a lawyer entitled to practise in Manitoba and not in the employ of the government; and a non-lawyer."
[32] All police boards and commissions in Manitoba are required by law to submit an annual report to the MRC.