The plan to close four courthouses in the eastern province of New Brunswick is irresponsible and will limit access to justice for the poor, says the vice-president of the province’s association of lawyers. Robert Creamer of the New Brunswick Law Society says the closures should be cancelled.
Budget cuts affect several sectors in Canada
The closures are symptomatic of ongoing budget cuts common in several sectors of Canadian society including health care, education and social services. The government of New Brunswick announced in its March budget that as part of its effort to cut spending it would close the four courthouses located in smaller centres.
Responsibility to protect the public
Creamer says the closures will mean some people will have to travel a great distance to access justice. He is concerned that will affect people on low incomes, particularly women in transition homes or similar facilities who may have few or no assets.
On its website the New Brunswick Law Society notes, it “has as its primary responsibility the protection of the public in the administration of justice.”
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