COURTHOUSE PARKING FACILITIES
The Hon. VIRGINIA CHADWICK: I direct my question without notice to the Attorney General. Does the Attorney recall saying that it was not policy to provide parking at courthouses because of the serious security risks involved? Will the Attorney outline what he means by these security risks and why they are compounded by a courthouse providing its own parking?
The Hon. J. W. SHAW: The statement speaks for itself. There are security risks about public car parking areas attached to courthouses. No government in living memory has provided parking for the general public adjacent to courthouses. Part of the rationale for that non-provision involves security concerns. Obviously, witnesses and other people associated with court proceedings, including defendants, attend the courts, and it simply has not been regarded as appropriate to provide such a parking policy.
The Hon. VIRGINIA CHADWICK: I ask a supplementary question. In light of the Attorney’s answer, will he explain why there is apparently a lesser risk in relation to the proposed courthouse at Toronto, as witnesses, defendants and other people park in the grounds of Coles supermarket, along with families and shoppers?
The Hon. J. W. SHAW: I refer to my earlier answer.