McGuinty Government Improving Access To Justice In Elgin County 

NEWS

Ontario is improving access to justice for the community of St. Thomas and surrounding area by building a new, modern and accessible consolidated courthouse. The design will incorporate the historical courthouse on Wellington Street. 

The new courthouse will bring the Ontario Court of Justice and the Superior Court of Justice together under one roof. It will increase the number of available courtrooms, will be fully accessible to people with disabilities, and provide enhanced security and safety for court users. The building project will create new jobs and stimulate economic spin-offs for the St. Thomas community. 

Next steps include the Ontario Realty Corporation finalizing the acquisition of the site and identifying the specifications for the project. The new courthouse will be publicly owned and controlled. The Ministry of Attorney General and Infrastructure Ontario will work together to procure a company to design, build, finance and maintain the new courthouse. 

QUOTES 

“It is clear we need a new courthouse -- that we're able to achieve this using the historic Elgin County Courthouse is downright exciting.” 
- George Smitherman, Deputy Premier and Minister of Energy and Infrastructure

“By consolidating all court services into one new location, residents of St. Thomas will have access to effective, supportive and timely justice services.” 
- Chris Bentley, Attorney General 

“I appreciate the fact that both Minister Smitherman and Minister Bentley have worked hard to see this announcement come to fruition knowing that this important investment for the City will see the continuation of justice remain located at a significant heritage asset.” 
- His Worship Cliff Barwick, Mayor of St. Thomas 

QUICK FACTS 

  • The Wellington Street courthouse was constructed in 1853. The front and side facades together with various architectural elements of the building have been designated as historically significant.
  • The new facility will consolidate two existing courthouses - the Superior Court of Justice at 8 Wellington Street and the Ontario Court of Justice at 145 Curtis Street - into one modern facility. 

LEARN MORE 

Find out more about how Ontario is improving access to civil, family, and criminal justice. 

See a map of the site.

Eric Pelletier, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure,
Communications Branch, 416-325-1810 
Erin Moroz, Ministry of the Attorney General,  
Minister's Office, 416-326-1785 
Brendan Crawley, Ministry of the Attorney General, 
Communications Branch, 416-326-2210 
Paulette den Elzen, Infrastructure Ontario, 416-327-5724
Melissa Mandolidis, Ontario Realty Corporation, 416-212-4874 
ontario.ca/energy-news
ontario.ca/attorneygeneral-news 

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