Accessing Justice and Courthouse Safety - Pausing the Closure of the Neighbourhood Courthouses in North York and Scarborough - by Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Gary Crawford

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The decision

2023-03-29 · Toronto City Council · adopted

As filed

City Council on March 29, 30 and 31, 2023, adopted the following: 1. City Council reiterate its objections to the closure of neighbourhood court houses and send a copy of its decision to the Attorney General of Ontario, objecting to the amalgamation of inner suburban court houses to the new Toronto courthouse - the Ontario Court of Justice Toronto - at 11 Centre Street. 2. City Council request the Attorney General of Ontario to pause the closure and/or moving of neighbourhood court houses located at 1000 Finch Avenue West and 1911 Eglinton Avenue East until a full capacity assessment of the new Toronto Court House at 11 Centre Avenue can take place.

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3. City Council request that copies of the correspondence with the Attorney General of Ontario and any and all replies be provided to the local Councillors.

The vote

Adopt Item · Carried, 14-7

For (14)Alejandra Bravo, Amber Morley, Anthony Perruzza, Ausma Malik, Chris Moise, Frances Nunziata, Gary Crawford, Jamaal Myers, James Pasternak, Jennifer McKelvie, Jon Burnside, Josh Matlow, Michael Thompson, Mike Colle

Against (7)Dianne Saxe, Gord Perks, Jaye Robinson, Paul Ainslie, Paula Fletcher, Shelley Carroll, Stephen Holyday

Absent (4)Brad Bradford, Lily Cheng, Nick Mantas, Vincent Crisanti

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On the agenda

As the city filed it

City Council on May 5 and 6, 2021, adopted Item MM32.10 , titled " Accessing Justice - New Toronto Courthouses." The soon to be opened Ontario Court of Justice Toronto courthouse at 11 Centre Street will consolidate smaller neighbourhood court locations in Toronto under one roof. The closure of local courts will have negative impact for communities across Toronto. The loss of local courthouses will marginalize those who are trying to access justice; result in an economic loss for small businesses in the surrounding area; and exacerbate security concerns at the new centralized location.

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Local courthouses are a vital part of our city and its surrounding communities. It is understood that court services at 2201 Finch Avenue West have already moved and that the 2201 Finch Avenue West location will operate as a bail hearing office. All downtown courthouses (including those located at Old City Hall) have already moved, or are in position to move, into 11 Centre Avenue. The neighbourhood courthouse at 1000 Finch Avenue West (in North York) is scheduled to move April 14-17, 2023 and the court house at 1911 Eglinton Avenue East (located in Scarborough) is scheduled to move May 5-8, 2023. It is the objective of this motion to ask that the closing of these locations be paused until the capacity issues at the new Toronto courthouse have been determined and further consultation with the local Councillors and other stakeholders takes place.

Staff recommended

Councillor James Pasternak, seconded by Councillor Gary Crawford, recommend that: 1. City Council reiterate its objections to the closure of neighbourhood court houses and send a copy of its decision to the Attorney General of Ontario, objecting to the amalgamation of inner suburban court houses to the new Toronto courthouse - the Ontario Court of Justice Toronto - at 11 Centre Street. 2. City Council request the Attorney General of Ontario, to pause the closure and/or moving of neighbourhood court houses located at 1000 Finch Avenue West and 1911 Eglinton Avenue East until a full capacity assessment of the new Toronto Court House at 11 Centre Avenue can take place.

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3. City Council request that copies of the correspondence with the Attorney General of Ontario and any and all replies be provided to the local Councillors.

On the record

The item as the City filed it

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