Minister of Justice and Public Safety and Chief Judge Return from Tour of Ontario CourtsMinister of Justice and Public Safety and Chief Judge Return from Tour of Ontario Courts

The Newfoundland and Labrador government announced the appointment of 10 lawyers as the province’s new King's Counsel, conferred by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The appointments followed the Legal Appointments Board process and require at least 10 years as a member of the bar, good standing, and respect within the legal community.

Newfoundland and Labrador’s Justice Minister, Helen Conway Ottenheimer, says the justice system needs reform and more resources, and she aims to fix it rather than accept it as a “gold standard.” She cites recent staffing shortages and court delays, notes she examined Ontario’s “gold standard models” for guidance, and mentions eight sheriff's officers…

The NDP is requesting the Department of Justice and Public Safety to work with others to explore how restorative justice could alleviate pressure on the province's justice system. The article notes the NDP's call and mentions Marykate O’Neill reporting for NTV.

The Justice Minister says she hopes to bring the “gold standard” she observed in Ontario courts to Newfoundland and Labrador, focusing on Indigenous rights within the prison system. NTV reports on what these potential changes could mean for Indigenous inmates and how they might be implemented in the province.

The Newfoundland and Labrador government is subsidizing expensive airfare to Labrador. The announcement was made by Lela Evans, the province’s minister of Labrador affairs, and reported on July 9, 2026.