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Dufferin County to look into assuming responsibility for POA court cases

September 24, 2018   ·   0 Comments

By Jasen Obermeyer

Dufferin County Council has directed its staff to begin discussing with the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) transferring responsibility and duties of the Provincial Offences Administration (POA) court from the Town of Caledon to the county.

The decision came at last Thursday’s (Sept. 13) council meeting, with council unanimously approving the General Government Services Committee (GGSC) recommendation for staff to begin discussions.

Back in June, county council voted in favour of offering a lease agreement with Caledon that would have seen the courthouse moved to 10 Louisa Street. However, before the council meeting, Caledon town clerk Carey deGroter sent a letter stating the proposed lease was not acceptable.

“Their staff came back and said ‘we don’t want to do it,” said Mono Deputy Mayor Ken McGhee, chair of the GGSC. “That’s where the impasse is.”

The use of courtroom 103 has been a debated topic for several years between the Ontario Superior Court, Caledon POA staff and the county. During this time, several options have been discussed, including: to maintain the status quo for the county to rent the space to the Caledon POA staff; move the administration office to Caledon, with the cases still being heard in Orangeville; lease the entire first floor to the Caledon POA staff; or relocate the court to Caledon East.

Deputy Mayor McGhee explained that the county and lower-municipalities all want the POA court to remain in Orangeville. “I know the local police, and the OPP want it here, the residents want it here.”

“We think staff can find places,” he said, adding that “it’s been a long four years,” discussing this matter.

He said that he is hopeful a final decision and answer will be announced before the upcoming municipal election in October. “I hope it’s resolved.”

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