TORONTO, Jan. 10 /CNW/ - The McGuinty government and Ontario Chief
Justice Roy McMurtry are implementing a pilot project to put cameras in the
Court of Appeal for Ontario, Attorney General Michael Bryant announced today.
"Through this initiative, we will be bringing the public directly into
our courtrooms via cameras in the court," said Bryant. "In doing so, we will
be opening a new window to provide Ontarians with an unprecedented view of our
justice system."
The pilot project is in response to a recommendation made by the Ontario
Panel on Justice and the Media, which was established by Bryant to promote
mutual understanding between the media and the justice system. While cameras
are generally prohibited under the Courts of Justice Act, they are permissible
for educational or instructional purposes, with approval from the presiding
judge and consent from the parties to the proceeding.
An implementation team of Ministry of the Attorney General staff has been
struck. The team will work in consultation with the judiciary to determine
specific details about how the project will work, including when the cameras
will be up and running.
"I'd like to thank the Justice and Media Panel, the judiciary, and
particularly Chief Justice Roy McMurtry, for supporting this groundbreaking
initiative," said Bryant. "Moving forward, we will continue to work with the
judiciary to shine new light on the justice system and usher in a new era in
access to justice."
Bryant made today's announcement at the annual Opening of the Courts
ceremony, where he and the Chief Justices of the Superior Court of Justice,
the Ontario Court of Justice and the Court of Appeal for Ontario gathered to
detail past successes and outline priorities for the coming year.
In his speech, Bryant also highlighted a number of recent government
accomplishments, including:

- The investment of close to $1 billion over the past three years to
construct new courthouses and improve the facilities of justice.

- The introduction of the Access to Justice Act, 2006, which will
reform the justice of the peace system and regulate paralegals. The
Act was passed by the Ontario legislature on October 19, 2006.

- Adopting a unique, multifaceted approach to fighting organized crime
called Organized Justice.

- The introduction of the Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006, which
will improve and strengthen the promotion, advancement and
enforcement of human rights in Ontario. The Act was passed on
December 5, 2006.

A transcript of the Attorney General's speech will soon be available at
http://www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca.

Disponible en français

www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca
>>

-30-