VICTORIA – The Province is investing $10 million to create a high-security courtroom and upgrade perimeter security at selected courthouses throughout B.C., Attorney General Wally Oppal announced recently.

“The construction of a specialized courtroom in Victoria will help ensure the safety of the public, courthouse staff and judiciary during trials where security is a concern,” said Oppal. “This project comes at a time when our citizens want both economic stimulus and a justice system that will help maintain safe, secure communities.”

Construction, expected to begin in summer 2009, will provide a high-security courtroom for longer and more complex trials with multiple counsel and accused. Development will cost $2.5 million and create up to 16 direct jobs.

Perimeter security upgrades are also slated to begin in June. “The upgrading of courthouse perimeter security at high-risk locations will inject $7.5 million into local economies and provide direct jobs for up to 48 workers,” Oppal said. Planning is underway to finalize which courthouses will be upgraded and what security features will be included.

The projects are part of an overall, three-year $14-billion capital infrastructure program (www.gov.bc.ca/infrastructure) supported by the Province that will create up to 88,000 jobs and help build vital public infrastructure in every region of B.C.