Ontario announces resources to speed up Ottawa courts
Posted Jan 25, 2017 11:23:13 AM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
OTTAWA – The province has announced changes to Ontario’s bail program to reduce wait times for trial and improve the bail system.
Attorney General Yasir Naqvi made the announcement at police headquarters Wednesday, along with Ottawa Police Chief Charles Bordeleau and Tyler Fainstat of the John Howard Society of Ottawa.
The changes are expected to address delays in the court system that have begun causing some criminal charges to be stayed.
Of 13 new provincial judges, two will be in Ottawa and Naqvi says they will be put in place as soon as possible.
A crown attorney will also be embedded within Ottawa Police to find alternatives to criminal charges for low-risk and vulnerable accused.
The Ottawa courthouse will receive one new dedicated bail vettor Crown attorney, and will also get one new duty counsel bail co-ordinator to help expedite the bail process.
Ontario has previously announced plans to address court delays and bail reform in the province.
