Courts, police take a hit in N.L. budget

The court system and both police forces in Newfoundland and Labrador will get a shakeup as the cash-strapped provincial government trims more than $6 million and 27 positionsfrom the Department of Justice and Public Safety.

• Full coverage: Newfoundland and Labrador Budget 2016

The province will close supreme courts in Grand Falls-Windsor and Grand Bank, reducing the number from six to four.

The number of permanent provincial court locations will dropfrom 10 to eight, with sites inHarbour Grace andWabushset to close.

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These courtclosures will resultinannualizedsavings of nearly $1.3 million, and result in the elimination of 17 positions.

The St. John's Status of Women's Council reacted angrily to the news Thursday, stating on Twitter that "closing rural courts will have (a) devastating effect on women experiencing (domestic violence)already burdened by (a) lack of services."

Justice and Public Safety Minister Andrew Parsonssaid these were "very difficult" decisions, but added that efficiencies were necessary in the face of challenging economic circumstances.

"My top concern is access to justice. That is the rationale behind these decisions," Parsons said.

The four members of the judiciary affected by the closures will be transferred to other courts.

Police positions won't be filled

Meanwhile, plans to hire an additional 10 Royal Newfoundland Constabulary officersthis year have been cancelled, and four vacant constable positions will not be filled.

The RCMP willfind savings by hiring civilians for four "back-office" positions, Parsons explained.

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The province has budgeted roughly $130 million for both police forces, and roughly $13 million for supreme and provincial courts.

Parsons added that work is ongoing to find more efficiencies in the department.

The measures were included in Thursday's belt-tightening2016-17 provincial budget, which is projecting a deficit of $1.83 billion.

Harbour Grace courthouse repairs not feasible

Parsons explained that Wabush has traditionally had the lowest number of cases per year, while proximity to St. John's and infrastructure challenges inHarbour Grace were deciding factors in the decision to close that court.

Parsons said it's not feasible to repair the historiccourt building in Harbour Grace, and pointed to the "significant lease cost" of temporary office space in the town.

He would not rule out a circuit court for these locations, but said any decisions will be made in consultation with the judiciary.

As for supreme court closures, Parsons said the Grand Bank location was "not the busiest of courts," while having a court location in nearby Gander makes it possible to closeGrand Falls-Windsor.