Nunavut judge: makeshift courtrooms need heat, toilets

Some buildings used to hold circuit court in Nunavut communities still do notmeet basic standards. That's despite a directive last year from the senior judge of the Nunavut Court of Justice.

Outside of Iqaluit, communities do not have courtrooms and courtis often held in community halls, hotels and school gymnasiums.

LastJune, Justice RobertKilpatrickissued a directive to have all locations inspected where circuit court is held.He saidthey need to make sure there's running water, a phone jack, working toilets, heat and a functioning fire alarm.

Kilpatrickalso asked for the latest public health and fire and safety inspections records.

Court Services did an audit and the results weren't good.

"How is it that we expect the court to operate in those sub-standard conditions?" Kilpatricksays.

"It is high time for the government to take into considerationthe needs of its court when it designs facilities, and ensurewe have what we need to do a proper job."

The senior judge says he's still waiting for the Department of Justice to come up with some solutions.

In a statement to CBC News, officials in the department say they're working with another government department, Community and Government Services, to address the issue.

They're also discussing the possibility of finding alternate places to hold court in some communities.