Province Strengthening Courthouse Security in Northern Ontario

NORTH BAY — The Ontario government has completed security improvements at the North Bay courthouse. The $5.3 million project includes a single point of entry, a public screening area, baggage scanner, a magnetometer to help detect concealed metal weapons and an optical portal. Since 2018, the government has invested $250 million to strengthen courthouse security measures across the province, improving safety for judges, staff, litigants and the public.

“Our government is investing in the infrastructure, technology and security systems needed to protect the rule of law,” said Attorney General Doug Downey. “We’re strengthening courthouse security measures across the province to safeguard judges, staff, jurors and the public from violence, intimidation and disruption.”

Across northern Ontario, security improvements have also been completed at the Gore Bay and Sudbury courthouses. The government invested $1 million to upgrade the police monitoring area and duress system at the Gore Bay courthouse and $19.7 million to build a new and expanded video surveillance system and single points of entry at the courthouses in Sudbury.

Work is currently underway to enhance security at the Sault Ste. Marie courthouse with the government investing $4.3 million to upgrade holding cells, the duress system and a new surveillance system. The project is expected to be complete in spring 2027.

• Since 2018, Ontario has completed more than 2,100 court security projects across the province.
• Under the Community Safety and Policing Act, 2019, court security is the responsibility of local police services or the Ontario Provincial Police.