An assessment will be made of whether present facilities will be part of the new plan, and locations will be identified where facilities should be built or acquired. As well, the consultants will provide solutions regarding capital development and estimates regarding operating costs. On April 1, the province assumed responsibility for all costs associated with the administration of justice as part of the Municipal Service Exchange. As a result, the province assumed ownership of a number of court facilities previously owned by municipalities. The province also leases additional space for court and justice offices.
Standards vary in court facilities across the province.
The minister said the development and implementation of a courthouse renovation program is needed to meet current operational needs and to provide appropriate court facilities well into the 21st century. Our goal is to improve the service delivery for clients today, and into the future. Through this process, we are able to seek new and innovative solutions to planning, design and financing. A master plan is expected to be completed by early fall.