State of Halton court brings calls for action

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Officials in Halton region are calling for immediate action when it comes to the state of it’s court resources and infrastructure.

The municipality passed a resolution Wednesday, calling on the Attorney General to immediately deal with what it calls a gross inadequacy.

There are concerns the situation is putting the safety everyone using the building at risk.

Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner is concerned about safety at the Milton courthouse.

He says the building is outdated and overcrowded and that is putting his officers and the public at risk.

“It doesn’t have the correct security measures, it doesn’t have really appropriate cell and holding areas, places where defence lawyers can meet with their clients and then we have to move prisoners back and forth to courts through public areas.
People can be assaulted, officers can be assaulted by prisoners or other people trying to hurt the prisoners.”

The overcrowding has caused delays in the court process leading to some unintended consequences.

Justice Alan D. Cooper who works at the Halton courthouse recently threw out a dangerous driving case because it took almost two years to get to trial. He says there will be more cases dismissed if they don’t get the resources and personnel they need. ”

“People who are guilty of crimes get off only because there’s no courthouse available and that’s not acceptable.”

Regional Chair Gary Carr says the court system is not keeping pace with the rapid growth of the region. Council passed a motion Wednesday calling on the province to immediately begin work on a new building.

“We are saying please, please, please there’s a need here we need to build a courthouse in Halton”

The Attorney General was not available for an interview today but Madeleine Meilleur’s office sent CHCH News a statement that reads in part…

“We recognize that there are ongoing facility challenges in Halton, and this remains a priority for the Ministry.”

Carr says they’ve been hearing that message for years only to have the Finance Minister put the brakes on.

“That’s fine if you can’t fund these things, then Halton region is going to have to make a decision not to grow and we’re not going to implement places to grow”

Carr and the Chief Tanner are meeting the Ministry of the Attorney General to deliver that message next week.