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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, January 30, 2015 | 6 New courthouse is long overdue The Province's faded trillium logo on a rundown sign outside the Milton courthouse appears almost symbolic of the long-standing neglect for justice in Halton Region. Canada's fastest-growing community has been home to Halton's main court since 1960, but the widespread opinion is that our booming population has outgrown the strained facility. Lawyer Paul Stunt, a former Crown attorney, described the courthouse in no uncertain terms as "tired," "rundown," and a "completely inadequate facility." The expectation, and responsibility, to fund growth-related infrastructure is a predicament the Ontario government should have better anticipated when it set population and employment targets for Halton under the Places to Grow Plan. But while grinning MPPs at press conferences tout the government's commitments to improving roads, schools and hospitals, when can we all circle a calendar date for the opening of a new courthouse? As the established legal principle says: justice delayed is justice denied. The situation in Halton has never been more dire as judges, with their hands tied by systemic delays, are being forced to dismiss cases. "Halton is becoming one of the lost children of the Ontario judicial system. For some reason, its obvious needs have been overlooked," said Halton Justice Alan. D Cooper in a Jan. 15 decision. A lack of space has forced lawyers to discuss sensitive case details in public hallways. On Wednesday, Halton Regional councillors approved the 2015 budget and granted our police service $65 million to build a brand new facility. A bit of fuss was made by councillors over the necessity, and cost of the headquarters despite not having a complete business plan. But in the end, sustaining Halton's rank as one of the safest communities in Canada was a prevailing sentiment for granting the funding. One Milton Regional councillor put it best that it's better to be ahead than delay the decision to a future budget cycle. "We've been playing catch-up for the last 10 years in this Region, let's try to get ahead of the game," said Colin Best. But while the Region has trusted the recommendation of its police services board and chief, why has the Ministry of the Attorney General and Ministry of Finance not listened to lawyers, justices and Halton MPPs? Halton Police Chief Stephen Tanner is clear that this courthouse is at least two decades overdue, and has "workplace safety, health and safety issues, that should not be there." On Monday, a delegation from Halton Region will once again take its case for new courthouse to Attorney General Madeleine Meilleur. Will Halton become a priority for this government, or be lost yet again in a host of other so-called priorities? Editorial H E L P I N G I N T H E "Connected to your Community" C O M M U N I T Y 447 Speers Road, Oakville ON, L6K 3S4 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Editorial Department: (905) 632-0588 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 53 | Number 9 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice ­President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Halton Region Editor in Chief Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER DAVID HARVEY JILL DAVIS DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor From left, Captain Mark Crabb of the Salvation Army Oakville receives the $5,400 proceeds of the Kinsmen Club of Oakville's Santa Claus Parade Collection from Kinsmen President David Kuhnke and Kinsmen and Oakville Ward 1 Councillor Ralph Robinson. | submitted photo ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager Director of Production SANDY PARE MARK DILLS Letters to the Editor Why is pollster asking about land transfer tax? On the evening of Friday, Jan. 16, I received a phone call from Pollara Strategic Insights, a Canadian public opinion and market research rm. They were conducting a detailed survey commissioned by the Town of Oakville. One of the questions concerned whether I favoured the Town of Oakville raising revenues through a Municipal Land Transfer Tax like Toronto has. I thought that idea had a fairly vigorous workout during the recent municipal campaign and was proven unpopular. In fact, the idea was suf ciently unpopular that the mayor, Rob Burton, actually waf ed on whether or not he supported it. In my ward, Ward 5, Councillor Jeff Knoll was clear on his opposition to such a tax. Finally, in last June's provincial election, both Oakville MPPs indicated their opposition to the idea. So, I have to wonder: is Town Hall's pollster asking the redundant question as part of an effort to introduce another new tax? Richard Landau, Oakville MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Family physician has been patient's advocate I read with interest Dr. Mary Manno's response to, Doctor suggests researching The Great Wait, Oakville Beaver, Friday, Jan. 23, 2015. I agree entirely with everything Dr. Manno said. My family and I have experienced rsthand when our family physician has been our advocate. We have also experienced same-day appointments (when needed). Part of Dr. Manno's response to Oakville Beaver columnist Andy Juniper's column, was, "if you want to understand these issues, you should interview him instead of making blanket, uninformed statements." Well, I am that patient because it happened to me. I would love to chat with Mr. Juniper and tell him of our positive doctor/ patient relationship that is based on mutual respect and trust. Cal Belbin Sr., Oakville Proud Official Media Sponsor For: For an additional letter to the editor, see Halton on p.15 The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5040 Mainway, Burlington ON L7L 7G5 or via e-mail to; ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. 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