Calls to build a courthouse in Oakville revived as critics slam Milton facility

Calls to build a courthouse in Oakville have been revived in the wake of continuing complaints about the existing facility in Milton.

Late last week Ted Arnott, MPP for Wellington-Halton, who is also Speaker of the Ontario Legislature, called on his government to reintroduce the plan to build the Oakville courthouse, one that was yanked from the table by the Province as construction was set to begin in 2020.

In a letter to Ontario’s Attorney General, Arnott said the problems that persist at the Milton courthouse, which has included the discovery of mould and asbestos, have led to delays in the legal system.

“These long-standing deficiencies pose health and safety risks…to employees, staff, judges, legal professionals, civil parties, accused, victims and witnesses and the general public,” he states in the missive directed to Doug Downey.

Arnott’s complaints follow similar ones raised by Oakville Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll who complained about the outdated infrastructure in Milton in a letter to Downey.

Halton Police Chief Steve Tanner has also weighed in on the matter calling the Milton situation “deplorable” and that the building has outlived its usefulness.

Arnott said he and other area politicians advocated for the new Oakville courthouse and was pleased when Queen’s Park announced plans to build in 2017. Back then the plan was to have a larger Oakville courthouse replace Milton and the Burlington courthouse which is also considered to be past its prime., according to local officials.

That project was pulled at the last minute, however, when the government, in cost-saving mode, decided to repair the other courthouses and rely more on technology to conduct court business.