National Prosecution Awards for Top Prosecutors

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - Oct. 29, 2015) - The outstanding accomplishments of Canadian prosecutors were recognized by the Federal/Provincial/Territorial Heads of Prosecutions Committee at an awards ceremony held last night. The award program, instituted in 2006, honours professional excellence, exemplary service, and outstanding achievements.

The awards were presented by Mr. Brian Saunders, Q.C., Director of Public Prosecutions, Public Prosecution Service of Canada, Mr. James Cornish, Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Law Division, Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario, Ms. Joyce DeWitt-Van Oosten, Q.C., Assistant Deputy Attorney General, Criminal Justice Branch, Ministry of Justice of British Columbia and Colonel Bruce MacGregor, Director of Military Prosecutions.

The following prosecutors were chosen for their contributions to advancing and promoting the role of prosecutors within the Canadian criminal justice system:

The Commitment to Justice Award 2015 was awarded to Mr. James M. Stewart, Q.C., Director of the Major Case Management with the Ministry of Attorney General of Ontario, and to the Vancouver Stanley Cup Riot Prosecution Team.

Mr. Stewart's commitment to professional education as well as his leadership, dedication, innovation, versatility and generosity for over 40 years makes him a role model for all Crown counsel.

The Vancouver Stanley Cup Riot Prosecution Team, comprised of 10 provincial Crown counsel, prosecuted 297 riot events. While upholding the highest ideals of justice, they handled the prosecutions in a dedicated and professional manner to which all Crown counsel should aspire.

The Courage and Perseverance Award 2015 was awarded to Major Thomas Fitzgerald, Crown counsel with the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario and reservist with the Canadian Military Prosecution Service. Amongst his achievements, he was deployed to Afghanistan where he prosecuted the first case against a Canadian soldier in Kandahar and helped establish the Afghan National Army Legal School, teaching prosecutors, investigators and judges western legal principles and procedures.

The Humanitarian Award 2015 was awarded to Mr. David Lepofsky, Crown counsel with the Ministry of the Attorney General of Ontario, for his outstanding contributions to the community, as well as his tireless work as an advocate for the disabled.

The FPT Heads of Prosecutions Committee brings together the leaders of Canada's prosecution services to promote assistance and cooperation on operational issues relating to criminal prosecutions. The Committee also provides the prosecution perspective to Federal/Provincial/Territorial Ministers and Deputy Ministers Responsible for Justice.

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