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New Courthouse Opens In Durham Region

McGuinty Government Improving Access To Justice Services

October 26, 2010

News

The new Durham courthouse is now officially open. The construction of the courthouse created 400 jobs for families.

The state-of-the-art facility consolidates justice services that were previously shared across eight locations.

The energy-efficient courthouse provides modern, effective and accessible justice services to the local community and the region with:

• Thirty eight judicial hearing rooms, three motions rooms and three conference/settlement rooms
• Offices for Legal Aid Ontario, Family Law Information Centre, Children¡¦s Aid Society and probation and parole
• Portable interpretation booths, infrared hearing assistance, remote video testimony rooms and videoconferencing capabilities
• Enhanced security features, such as secured separate corridors for the public, in-custody accused and the judiciary.

Better access to justice is part of the Open Ontario plan to create jobs, boost the economy and make public services more accessible for Ontario families.

Quotes

“Increasing access to justice for families has been a top priority for the McGuinty government. Durham Region now possesses the most technologically advanced and energy-efficient courthouse in Ontario. This state-of-the-art and accessible facility will serve the growing needs of the community for years to come.”
— Chris Bentley, Attorney General

Quick Facts

• This new facility is the first courthouse in Ontario to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) gold certification, which includes strict regulations for energy management and conservation.
• The courthouse has received the National Award of Merit for Project Finance from the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships.

Learn More

Learn more about Ontario’s courts.

Contacts

Nauman Khan
Minister's Office
416-326-1785

Brendan Crawley
Communications Branch
416-326-2210

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