Investment Makes Courthouses Safer

NOTE: A list and details of the investments follows this release.

The province is spending $2 million to make courtrooms safer, Justice Minister Ross Landry announced today, Nov. 17.

The investment is part of the province's new capital plan to make life better for families.

"Safety and security of people is of paramount importance in our courtrooms," said Mr. Landry. "This significant investment will make courtrooms and courthouses across the province safer."

The investment includes new or replacement closed-circuit cameras, access controls, alarms and other protective measures.

The improvements are being done at courthouses in Amherst, Antigonish, Bridgewater, Digby, Halifax, Kentville, Port Hawkesbury, Sydney, Truro and Yarmouth.

This is the second time in the province's history that government is releasing some details of the capital plan before the spring budget. This sends a clear signal of what the province intends to do in the year ahead and gives the private sector greater opportunity to prepare for upcoming projects, resulting in efficiencies and cost savings for the province.

The province's new capital plan will invest millions of dollars to make life better for families. It will create good jobs, grow the economy, and provide better healthcare for all Nova Scotians. The capital plan invests in projects that are most important to Nova Scotians like emergency rooms, courts, schools, roads and hospital equipment.

Further details on individual investments will be announced in the months ahead.

Following is a list of court security investments in 2012-13. The overall investment of $2 million will be spread among these 10 court houses:

• Amherst Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras, access-control system and intercom system
• Antigonish Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras, access-control system and intercom system
• Bridgewater Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras and alarm system
• Digby Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras and access-control system
• Halifax Supreme Court Family Division: New closed-circuit cameras
• Kentville Family Court: New closed-circuit cameras
• Kentville Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras, access-control system and intercom system
• Port Hawkesbury Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras and alarm system
• Sydney Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras and intercom system
• Truro Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras, access-control system and intercom system
• Yarmouth Justice Centre: New closed-circuit cameras and alarm system