New Provincial Offences Act courthouse opening in Burlington in 2019
The City of Burlington has announced a new, consolidated Ontario Court of Justice - Halton Provincial Offences Office courthouse to be built at 4085 Palladium Way in Burlington to serve the people of Burlington, Halton Hills, Milton and Oakville.
The courthouse will replace the current provincial offences courthouses located at 2051 Plains Rd. E. in Burlington and 100 Nipissing Rd. in Milton. It is being built by Gross Capital Inc. and leased to Halton Court Services.
Once complete, the new courthouse will administer provincial offences court services for all of Halton Region. Provincial offences court services deal with non-criminal provincial offences charges issued in Halton. These non-criminal charges include:
- Highway Traffic Act offences, such as speeding, driving without insurance or failing to stop at a red light
- Municipal bylaw offences, such as excessive noise, animal control or garbage disposal
- Offences under provincial legislation such as the Environmental Protection Act, the Occupational Health and Safety Act, the Dog Owners' Liability Act or the Trespass to Property Act.
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The new courthouse is designed by the Ventin Group Ltd. to capture the changing and evolving landscape of Halton Region. The natural environment is echoed in the design through the selection of landscape materials. The building will be timeless in design, welcoming to the public and comfortable for all employees using the space. |
Facts about the Ontario Court of Justice - Halton Provincial Offences Office
- The building is being designed by +VG Architects (The Ventin Group Ltd.) and will be constructed by Buttcon Ltd.
- The new courthouse is to be completed by January 2019.
- No small claims, criminal charges or family law matters are administered at the courthouse.
- The Milton and Burlington POA locations are 16,000 square feet combined. The new facility, at 34,000 square feet, will meet today's needs more effectively and will help Halton Court Services plan 30 years into the future.
- The courthouse will operate Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Architect's Description of the Courthouse Design
The Ventin Group Ltd. has captured the changing and evolving landscape of Halton Region in the design of the new courthouse. The natural environment is echoed in the design through the selection of landscape materials:
- The north half of the building is a stone wall, reflecting the strong and secure Niagara Escarpment.
- The south half is a glass wall, symbolic of transparency--a virtue and goal for the justice system. The glass wall is lined with a series of wooden pillars representing the natural woodlands of Halton Region.
- The glass walls facing east and west are treated with wavy, coloured glazing to represent the character and motion of the local creeks.
- The thin, white roof canopy captures a thin blanket of snow overhanging to the south to provide sun shading for the glass--appropriate for a Canadian institution.
The new courthouse will be a dignified building, timeless in design, welcoming to the public and comfortable for all staff using the facility.
Links and Resources
www.haltoncourtservices.ca
www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj
Frequently Asked Questions
| What is Provincial Offences Court? |
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The Provincial Offences Court deals with non-criminal provincial offences charges issued in Halton. The types of charges that are heard in Provincial Offences Court include:
No violence-related, criminal charges or family law matters will be administered at the courthouse. |
| Who is Halton Court Services (HCS)? |
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Since 2001, the Provincial Offences Courts in Halton have been operated by a municipal partnership consisting of the City of Burlington, the Town of Oakville, the Town of Halton Hills and the Town of Milton. Halton Court Services (name of the partnership) operates two courthouses - one at 2051 Plains Rd. in Burlington and one at 100 Nipissing Rd. in Milton. Prior to 2001, these courts were operated by the Province of Ontario. The Town/City Councils of the municipal partners have delegated responsibility for court oversight to a Joint Management Board that consists of the CAOs/City Manager of each municipality. The City of Burlington is the service provider on behalf of the partnership. The types of activity that takes place at the courthouses include receiving all charges laid in Halton, processing fine payments, scheduling hearings, prosecuting charges and enforcement of overdue fines. |
| Why is a new courthouse planned for Palladium Way? |
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The current leased facilities which HCS has occupied since 2001 have reached their capacity. The Municipal Partners agree that expanded court space is needed. Halton's two existing courthouses (in Milton and Burlington) have been operating at 100 per cent capacity since 2011, and the number of charges has increased by 41 per cent since 2001. The new consolidated courthouse will be operationally more efficient and will meet the court's long-term accommodation requirements. |
| When will the courthouse be built? |
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Construction of the new, consolidated Ontario Court of Justice - Halton Provincial Offences Office will begin in 2017 and be completed by January 2019. |
| Who is building the new courthouse? |
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The 34,000 square foot structure is being designed and built by Gross Capital Inc., constructed by Buttcon Ltd., and leased to Halton Court Services. |
| What will the courthouse look like? |
| The new courthouse is designed by the Ventin Group Ltd. and captures the changing and evolving landscape of Halton Region in the design. The natural environment is echoed in the design through the selection of landscape materials. |
| What are the operating hours of Halton Court Services? |
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The courthouse will operate Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
| Where can I find other court services? |
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Please visit www.ontariocourts.ca/ocj for other court services. |
Contacts:
Contact Department
Numbers
Links
Burlington Court
2051 Plains Road East,
Burlington, ON L7R 5A5
T. 905-637-1274
F. 905-637-5919