Ontario allots $65 million to expand access to remote hearing technology

The Ontario government has invested $65 million over the next five years to modernize technology in court operations, the Ontario Ministry of Attorney General announced.

The funding is part of the provincial government’s Justice Accelerated Strategy, which aims to break down barriers in the justice system by moving more court services online and expanding remote hearing technology to more courtrooms across the province.

“Building on the innovative breakthroughs we have pioneered to introduce online access to Ontario’s justice system, this $65 million investment will ensure video and audio hearings are available in every region, including in more rural, northern and Indigenous communities,” Attorney General Doug Downey said.

In particular, the funding will ensure “more accessible, responsive and resilient court system” by:

• Installing audio-visual technology;
• Purchasing and upgrading computers and other hardware;
• Training and support for the judiciary and court staff;
• Internet bandwidth upgrades and ongoing maintenance.

“We aren’t turning back and the Justice Accelerated Strategy is the next chapter in our commitment to overhaul outdated processes, move more services online and better meet people’s expectations for how justice can be done in 2022 and beyond,” Downey said.

Since the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the provincial government and Ontario Superior Court of Justice have conducted more than 3.2 million remote and hybrid hearings.