http://www.manitobacourts.mb.ca/transcripts/
on how to do so, and the cost(s) involved. One helpful thing is that like many jurisdictions, there is a different cost to the person who is the first to order a transcript, vs those that later make a request. The reason for that is the cost for the first transcript is literally for someone to listen to the recorded proceeding and type it out. Later requests just mean photocopying the first transcript.
If you look at the website linked above it shows that if you don't make a rush order, and are OK with a 21 day turnaround, then the cost for a later electronic copy is relatively - $0.40 per page. The same price I pay for copies od documents at the Federal Court of Canada:
(a) for each court transcript produced within twenty-one (21) business* days (or extended as agreed) from the date request is received by Transcription Services (Regular Service)
(i) for the first copy ordered by a party (any format) $3.00
(ii) for a copy of the same transcript ordered by another party, $0.80
(iii) for each additional paper copy ordered by the same party, $0.35
(iv) for an electronic copy ordered by another party (without a paper copy) $0.40
However, getting a new transcript, at best, is $3.00 per page. Too expensive.
Fortunately we know that some transcripts have already been prepared because the court file record shows that. Looking at R v Clifford, docket CR14-01-33786, we see the following are on the court record:
16 22-Sep-2014 Winnipeg-QB TRANSCRIPT PROV COURT 25-MAR-2014 STANNARD, PJ
30 08-Oct-2014 Winnipeg-QB TRANSCRIPT PROCEEDINGS 23-JUN-2014 CLEARWATER, J.
31 09-Oct-2014 Winnipeg-QB TRANSCRIPT PRELIM - VOL1 - 29AUG14 LISMER, PJ
32 09-Oct-2014 Winnipeg-QB TRANSCRIPT PRELIM - VOL2 - 04SEP14 LISMER, PJ
Since these ones are already prepared, the cost will only be $0.40 per page, for an electronic copy of the transcript.
So it looks like these are the matters where there are definitely cheap transcripts available:
1 - a Provincial Court appearance before Provincial Court Judge Stannard on March 24, 2014. Looking at the documents we have on hand, the provincial court docket number appears to be 555-49829. That, along with Clifford's name, should be enough to identify and order that one.
2 - the preliminary inquiry hearing transcript, which would again have been in Provincial Court, before Judge Lismer. This was on two dates: Aug. 29, 2014, and Sept. 4, 2014. We know that Clifford was committed to trial in Queen's Bench at the close of the second day's hearings - the provincial court judge concluded the Crown had a case against Dean. The preliminary inquiry transcript should review the evidence of the case against Clifford.
3 - a Manitoba Court of Queen's Bench appearance on June 23, 2014 before Justice Clearwater. This is not in Clifford's main trial, but instead in R v Clifford, docket CR13-01-32571. This was an application by Clifford to be released on bail, that was refused. We already have and have published Clifford's materials that relate to that bail hearing.
Now these three sets of transcripts are definitely available and cheap. It may turn out that other (first copy) transcripts have already been obtained. My bet is that if you call the Transcription Services Unit ((204) 945-3026 or (204) 945-0301) and ask if there are other transcripts that have also been prepared in the following matters:
R v Clifford - MBQB Docket CR13-01-32571
R v Clifford - MBQB Docket CR14-01-33786
R v Clifford - MBPC Docket 555-49829
you may find some more goodies.
And so while ordering Dean's trial transcripts would be expensive, since Dean is likely to get a long sentence Dean will probably appeal, and to appeal he first has to order the transcript! So, if an appeal is filed, then it's again easy to get cheap transcripts.
