Northern Crown lawyers asked to pay back vacation travel perks

About a dozen current and former Crown prosecutors in the North have been asked to pay back thousands of dollars in vacation travel assistance.

Leonard MacKay is the president of the Association of Justice Counsel, which represents the lawyers.

Its bad timing, obviously, MacKay says. My members received these letters this week and last week asking for this money back just before Christmas so its tough. Were trying to expedite it so people have some certainty about their future finances.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada says it provides a certain amount of money each year to cover the higher costs of working in an isolated post.

But a spokesperson says some employees were incorrectly given the travel allowance while on leave.

In all, about $100,000 is owed, some of it dating back six years.

MacKay says the majority were women who were on maternity leave. He says they were encouraged by human resources to take advantage of the allowance.

In one case, a former staffer was asked to pay back over $17,000, and was given several options, such as paying a lump sum, or by authorizing the federal government to take up to 10 per cent of her salary starting in February.

The letter also suggests taking less than 10 per cent of wages where financial hardship has been determined, and notes that this would have to be approved by a deputy head following submission and review of statement of earnings and debts.