Chris Bentley
Faster
justice
Richard.mahoney@eap.on.ca
L’O RIGNAL
Ontario Attorney General Chris
Bentley ismaking thecase forhis“Justice
On Target” program, submitting that a
small change is better than no change at
all.
While the jury is still out on the
effectiveness of the province’s fast-track
plan, Bentley notes that the justice system
is akin to a large ship – anymovement can
almost be imperceptible.
The goal of the initiative, launched in
2008, was to reduce the number of
appearances to close a criminal case by 30
per cent by June, 2012. Statistics show a
need for more steam – the number of
appearances has decreased by about three
per cent. In Prescott-Russell, in criminal
cases, while the number of days to
appearances has remained unchanged.
In 2007, the average number of
In 2007, the average number of days to
disposition has increased, the number of
“This is like turning around the Queen
appearances to disposition was 5.2,
resolveacasewas246;thatnumberdropped
Mary II. This is the first time it (the number of
compared to 5 in 2009-2010.
to 171 in 2009-2010.
CINÉMA
appearances to dispose of a charge) has
dropped in 18 years,” Bentley said during a
recent stop in this region. He was pleased to
"Lame duck" law
report that it has beenall hands ondeckat the
Grenville (Qc) 819-242-3131
LAURENTIAN
L’Orignal Courthouse, where all crew
CINEMA
members are working to ensure smooth
sailing. Statistics show that the courthouse is
En français ROY DUPUIS ALL MOVIE STARTING JULY 1
advances
clearing more cases faster than it did four
L’INSTINCT DE LA MORT
years ago. He was impressed by howCrown
Attorneys work, defence counsels and court
staff work together.
newsroom@eap.on.ca
“People get along well here,” he said.
T ORONTO
"The time
“They see each other all the time.”
AddedGlengarry-Prescott-RussellM.P.P.
between a municipal
Jean-Marc Lalonde’s bid to shorten
Jean-Marc Lalonde: “You don’t see that in
the post-election “lame duck” period
big cities.”
election and the date on
TOUTE LA SEMAINE À 6H30
for municipal councils is making
Bentley related that the local court has
which the newly-elected
progress at Queen’s Park.
taken a “creative approach” to accelerate
TheGlengarry-Prescott-RussellM.P.P.
hearings while also dealing with the traits,
council takes office is
has introduced a private member’s bill
such as bilingualism and geography, that
that, if passed, would amend the
distinguish the local judicial system. “The
simply too long."
Municipal Elections Act to change the
people here are working hard to see that
dateonwhichnewly-electedcouncilstake
cases do not languish,” said Bentley.
office following municipal elections. If
Justice delayed is justice denied. But a
the amendment is enacted, in an election
1.
slow process can also be costly in financial
year newly-elected councils would take
“I have heard from my constituents,
and emotional terms. Noting that mediation
FRI. & SAT. AT 6:30 & 9:00 SUN. & WEEKDAY AT 7:00
office on the second Monday in
members of council, and municipal
is preferable to litigation, Bentley noted that
November, as opposed to December 1.
administrators that the time between a
in family disputes, the parties have more
Bill 153 has been approved at Second
municipal election and the date on which
accesstoinformation,mediationservicesand
Readingandhasnowbeenreferred to the
the newly-elected council takes office is
legal advice. Procedures that are streamlined
Standing
Committee
Standing
simply too long. People don’t knowwho to
andlessconfrontationalsavetimeandmoney
Committee on General Government.
turn to during this time of transition and
and reduce stress levels.
These amendmentswouldallowfor a
they would like to see their elected officials
In 2007, the total number of criminal
more swift and seamless transition
taking office soon after the election,” said
proceedings at theOntarioCourt of Justice in
between Councils following an election.
Lalonde.
L’Orignal was 3,078. Between July, 2009 and
ALL WEEK AT 8:45
Under the current system, elections
The Bill also amends the Municipal
June, 2010, that number was 3,551.
www.cinemaclock.com Quebec Grenville
are held in late October, however, new
ElectionsActtoreducethetimeframewithin
In2007, therewere3,232chargesdisposed,
councilsdonottakeofficeuntilDecember
whichrecountsof votesmust becompleted.
compared to 3,294 in 2009-2010.
Made with FlippingBook Annual report