$117 million expansion brings more court rooms to busy Brampton courthouse

The province’s expansion of the Brampton courthouse has added over a dozen new courtrooms and more security and accessibility upgrades to one of Ontario’s busiest courthouses.

Ontario Attorney General Doug Downey made the announcement in Brampton on Thursday with the province pledging a $117 million investment in the expansion which will see six floors added to the A. Grenville and William Davis Courthouse at 7755 Hurontario Street.

The province says the Brampton courthouses heard some 15,000 criminal cases, 4,100 family cases, 4,000 civil cases and 5,000 small claims cases between 2022 and 2023.

The expansion adds 13 new courtrooms and increases hearing room capacity by 35 per cent, as well as adds three settlement conference spaces and two pre-trial rooms.

There are also updated security features, like courtrooms designed for trials involving multiple accused persons and remote testimony spaces, and improved accessibility spaces such as barrier-free witness stands and specialized seating for jury members.

“This new addition will provide safe, secure and accessible court facilities that meet local demand,” Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown said in a statement, thanking Premier Doug Ford and local MPPs “for their commitment to enhancing access to justice for our region.”

The courthouse also has technology to support more virtual hearings and improved accessibility spaces like barrier-free witness stands and specialized seating for jury members.

“A larger, more secure and accessible courthouse will address the growing needs of Peel Region and connect more people to critical court services, quickly and efficiently,” said Downey. “This new accessible space is not only thoughtful in its design, but is also a true reflection of positive transformation in our justice system.”

The first phase of the project was finished in 2020, and the expansion project also includes a renovation of the neighbouring Land Registry building.

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story stated the expansion was still in development.