Courts in Grand Bank, Grand Falls-Windsor will stay open

Two courthouses in Newfoundland and Labrador that were slated for closure in the recent provincial budget will remain open after all.

• Closing 4 courts a tough call, but necessary, says Andrew Parsons
• Lawyers file court challenge of decision to close Grand Bank Supreme Court

The supreme courts in Grand-Falls Windsor and Grand Bank will not close, Justice and Public Safety Minister Andrew Parsons said Friday.

Both buildings have been given a second chance because the Supreme Court of Newfoundland and Labrador found $74,000 in additionalannual savings,Parsons told reporters.

The minister did not discuss specifics, but said the Supreme Court found these savings through job vacancies and changingcertain positions,as well as"operational changes."

"Given there's an HR [human resources] side to it, I don't want to get into it because I'm sure there's people being notified," he said.

Supreme Court's plan, not government's

Parsons said he's unsure if there will be any administrative changes to the courts that are staying open.

"[The Supreme Court] came up with this. They sat down, came to us with a proposal, were willing to work with us," he said.

"They came forward with a proposal that allows for the locations to remain open, while at the same time maintaining the budget savings that we need to realize."

The Liberalgovernment announced in its April 14 budget it would closethe Supreme Courtin Grand Bank and Grand Falls-Windsor, as well asthe provincial courts in Harbour Grace and Wabush.

Parsons cited low numbers as one of the reasons why the those courthouses wouldclose.

Court challenge had no impact: Parsons

Following the province's decision to close the courts,lawyers and judges spoke out about the negative impact the closures would have on the system.

The Newfoundland and Labrador chapter of the Canadian Bar Association warned the closures would have a detrimental effect, adding the increased travel times would hike costs.

Earlier this month, lawyers on the Bonavista and Burin peninsulasfiled a court challenge to keep the Supreme Court in Grand Bank open. Parsons said this court challenge had nothing to do with the courts reopening.

Open to provincial court proposals

Parsons said he is open to similar proposals from the provincial courts in Harbour Grace and Wabush.

"If the provincial court wants to come forward with a proposal to work with me, I'm there," he said.

Opposition MHA Keith Hutchingssaid that while he's glad the courts are remaining open, he doesn't understand why this plan wasn't considered earlier.

"Why didn't they speak to the Supreme Court in the pre-budget consultations, in the budget process?" he said.

"Where was this proposal months ago? Where was government, where was the minister in terms of interaction?"