In order to protect Society members working in the court system, the union joined with groups representing judges, Crown attorneys and court staff in urging the government to halt all in-court proceedings, unless absolutely necessary, in light of the province’s stay-at-home order.
The letter calls for a return to a full shutdown of in-person court appearances, as was the case when the pandemic was first declared. It also calls on the government to increase supports for virtual meetings in order to ensure that access to justice exists for those who might face challenges in accessing the technology due to poverty, mental health concerns or physical disability.
The letter was signed by Justice James Chaffe, president of the Association of Ontario Judges; Justice of the Peace Veruschka Fisher-Grant, president of the Association of Justices of the Peace of Ontario; Tony Loparco, president of the Ontario Crown Attorneys Association; Jeremy Glick, president of the Association of Law Officers of the Crown; David McNairn, president of the Association of Justice Counsel; Warren Thomas, president of the Ontario Public Service Employees Union; Scott Travers, president of the Society of United Professionals and Steven Barrett of Goldblatt Partners.
