Judge appointed to Lloydminster court as it reopens
A judge has been appointed to Lloydminster Provincial Court as it reopens as a full registry court.
LLOYDMINSTER – The province has appointed a judge at Lloydminster Provincial Court as it reopens as a fully operational registry office.
Stephen Kritzer was appointed judge.
“I am proud to announce this appointment and have no doubt that Judge Kritzer will serve Lloydminster and the province honorably and well,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Bronwyn Eyre said in a prepared statement on Friday.
“His extensive experience, solid reputation and deep commitment to the community will enable him to fulfill his judicial mandate with distinction.”
Judge Kritzer earned a Bachelor of Political Studies with honors before receiving his law degree from the University of Saskatchewan in 1991. With a particular interest in criminal law, he became a clerk for Manitoba Legal Aid in Winnipeg before joining Swift Current in 1992 to join MacBean Tessem.
In 1994, Judge Kritzer began his public service career as Attorney General at the Department of Justice and Attorney General at Swift Current. In 2016 he became a Regional Crown Prosecutor. Since 2021, he has been an Associate Professor at the Saskatchewan Police College, teaching law to new police recruits and veteran constables.
Throughout his career, Richter Kritzer has maintained a community focus and passion for the sport. He has been a board member of the Swift Current Broncos, President of the Southwest Crisis Services Board, and a member of Big Brothers & Big Sisters Swift Current and KidSport Swift Current.
Judge Kritzer has campaigned door-to-door for the Heart and Stroke Foundation and the Cancer Society, and has also raised funds for the United Way and the Maverick School in Swift Current. During the holiday season, he regularly volunteers with the Salvation Army to wrap gift baskets. In addition to football training, he also takes part in a weekly floorball program for underprivileged youth.
In addition to the appointment of Judge Kritzer to Lloydminster, Judge Murray Pelletier will move from North Battleford Provincial Court to La Ronge Provincial Court. Judge Pelletier was originally appointed in 2019.
Lloydminster Courthouse is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm non-stop. Fines can again be paid, small claims and other court documents can be lodged at Lloydminster.
A total of five provincial court clerks and five deputy sheriffs will be hired on a full-time basis to operate the facility. The Provincial Government currently leases the Lloydminster Courthouse building and will extend the lease for a further five years.
In 2021, after 35 years as a permanent Provincial Court location, Lloydminster Provincial Court became a Circuit Point location served by North Battleford Provincial Court. The Battlefords Bar Association had criticized the move, saying it was a step backwards, restricting access to justice and would negatively impact residents of Onion Lake, Lashburn, Marshall, Maidstone and the surrounding areas who have already traveled to Lloydminster.
Because Lloydminster borders the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta, there are two provincial courts in the city. The RCMP station is on the Alberta side of Lloydminster but serves both Lloydminster, Sask. and Lloydminster, Alta.
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