Statement regarding court decision

FREDERICTON (GNB) - The following statement was issued today by Attorney General Hugh J. Flemming:

In the March 28 court decision rendered by Justice Christa Bourque, the government was ordered to reconsider its decision to close courthouses in Tracadie and Caraquet.

The government of New Brunswick believes that the decision to close the courthouses and consolidate provincial court in Bathurst, where civil and family court had already been consolidated, was necessary to reduce court delays and enable the proper functioning of the court system, and it has had positive effects.

However, the government will do a thorough review to make sure the decision makes sense and has not had unexpected negative effects. The results of this review will be shared publicly.

With that said, elements of Justice Bourque's decision, if left unchallenged, could have much broader implications on future government decisions.

That is why, today, the Office of the Attorney General filed a notice of appeal with the New Brunswick Court of Appeal, appealing the court decision rendered on March 28.

Government remains committed to promoting the equality of status, equal rights and privileges of all citizens who have the constitutional right to use the official language of their choice, in all government of New Brunswick institutions, including courts. The Bathurst Law Courts continues to hear matters in both official languages, in civil, family and criminal matters.

Respecting that equality is a core value that we will maintain.

Background

Between 1992 and 2015, 21 courthouses closed, including those in Minto, Neguac, Shippagan, St. Stephen, Saint-Quentin and Sussex.

The Caraquet and Tracadie courthouses were closed in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

The Burton courthouse is scheduled to close in 2026 pending completion of the new Justice Building in Fredericton and only remains open for Court of King's Bench matters.

26-04-24

Media Contact(s)

Sarah Bustard, communications, Department of Justice and Public Safety, [email protected].