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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, January 30, 2015 | 8 `Inadequate' courthouse creates safety issues: police chief continued from p.1 On Jan. 21, this reporter toured the Milton courthouse, the main judicial facility in Halton Region, and published a story detailing concerns over a lack of privacy amongst lawyers and clients, inadequate space and several security concerns. Issues have been raised Halton Region officials brought up these issues in meetings with former Attorney General John Gerresten in August of 2012, and more recently in August of last year with Meilleur. Wellington-Halton-Hills MPP Ted Arnott also organized a meeting in December between Halton MPPs and representatives from the Ministry of Attorney General's (MAG) office; all agreed the need for a new courthouse is a priority. Ministry spokesperson Christine Burke said the Attorney General recognizes the "clear need to address facility challenges in Halton Region." "Our courthouse capital investment decisions are guided by long-term planning and the need to ensure that facilities with the greatest needs are given priority," Burke said. Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner said that need is long overdue and the Province should have invested in a new courthouse 20 years ago. Long overdue and unsafe in many areas "I think a new courthouse here in Halton is decades overdue," said Tanner, who will be part of next week's meeting at Queen's Park. "It's totally inadequate, the one that's in Milton right now serving our higher courts and our criminal courts." The chief said the Milton courthouse is unsafe in "many areas" and warned of the potential of "workplace issues for our members and for people in custody even." "Everyone handles stress differently, but it causes or puts into place some stress that I think a new courthouse here in Halton is decades overdue. It's totally inadequate, the one that's in Milton right now serving our higher courts and our criminal courts. Everyone handles stress differently, but it causes or puts into place some stress that ought not to be there -- some workplace safety, health and safety issues, that should not be there. Halton Regional Police Service Chief Stephen Tanner ought not to be there -- some workplace safety, health and safety issues, that should not be there," Tanner said. The Ministry said it works with local police services to ensure security needs at courthouse are met, but did not specify what standards are in place at its facilities for ensuring overall privacy and efficiency of the justice system. "When concerns do arise, MAG does its best to address them through various means such as renovations, technology upgrades, flexible meeting spaces," she said. "Factors that affect privacy and efficiency include the size and type of the courthouse, and the age, layout and design of each building." Legal community's frustration The local legal community's frustration came to a head earlier this month when the Province announced a six-floor addition to A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse in Brampton. see Courthouse on p.11 Above, duty counsel meets with a man in a cramped office space connected to a busy waiting area in Milton's courthouse. The office space is one of several examples of where closets and storage areas have been transformed into work spaces. Below, a man sits at a table in the hallway outside the Family Law Information Centre. Prior to last year, the centre did not have an office and used this space to meet with people. | submitted photos Christine Richard proudly serving the Oakville community Make Your Resolution GOLD Christine is always here at your time of need or when planning ahead. A New Will and Power of Attorneys Special Rates in January Get started today! Call Christine Richard for your FREE Planning Kit! 905-842-2252 Look for us on Facebook 1276 Cornwall Road, Unit C, Oakville Ontario, L6J 7W5 www.haxelllaw.com · lawyers@haxelllaw.com T: 905-845-0767 · F: 905-845-5552 Personal Professional Service at Competitive Rates Visit www.oakviewfuneral.ca for a virtual tour of our funeral home. by Arbor Memorial 56 Lakeshore Road, W., Oakville Arbor Memorial Inc. Oakview Funeral Home Family Owned. Proudly Canadian.