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Summary of Resident Feedback: Consolidating Provincial Offences Courts

From July until September 2011 the Region asked residents to provide feedback on the proposal to consolidate Niagara's Provincial Offences Courts.

In addition to public input, comments were also specifically sought from a variety of stakeholder groups including the judiciary, various provincial ministries, local enforcement agencies, the Niagara Regional Police Services Board as well as the Lincoln and Welland County Bar Associations.

Summary of Results

Of the public responses received, 77 per cent of residents were in favour of fewer court locations.

A number of other groups and associations, including The Local Administrative Justice of the Peace, Niagara Region Police Services Board, Niagara Regional Police Service and the Niagara Detachment Commander of the Ontario Provincial Police, were also in favour of a single, consolidated facility.

Respondents cited the following issues as major factors of consideration:

  • Quality of service
  • Reduced costs
  • A centralized location
  • Access to public transportation

Opposition to the Consolidation Proposal

The Town of Fort Erie and the Welland County Law Association both voiced opposition to the consolidation plan, citing the following issues:

  • Multiple Courthouse necessary to ensure continued access to justice
  • Consolidation proposal emphasizes monetary efficiency and convenience over the general public interest
  • Lack of an effective inter-municipal transportation will adversely impact defendants' ability to attend trial and contest charges
  • Defendants must attend courthouse several times prior to the final disposition of their matter
  • Defendants face increased travel time
  • Defendants should have the right to be tried in their own community
  • Centralization may result in longer wait times due to the increased volume in the one location
  • Taxpayers are not suffering any loss under the current system
  • Consolidation will adversely impact local parking revenue and support for local businesses

Staff responded to all of these issues in the full report going to Regional council.

Supporting Documentation, Reports and Presentations

If you require accessible versions of the above-referenced documents, please contact us now.

General Inquiries

Residents questions and comments can be sent to:

Shelley Marr
Manager of Real Estate Services, Properties Management
Phone: 905-685-4225, ext. 3643


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