This week's roundup for courthouses across Canada
Courts across Canada have been taking measures to control the spread of COVID-19. Below is a roundup of actions that courts are taking across the country.
British Columbia
Provincial Court of British Columbia
Masks Still Required in British Columbia Courthouses – Mar. 10, 2022
People within the vicinity of the court are still required to wear face masks. Parties and witnesses inside courtrooms should wear face masks unless directed otherwise by the presiding judge, justice, master, or registrar.
This notice will also apply to all persons attending the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Court of Appeal for British Columbia.
Supreme Court of British Columbia
Notice No. 45 - Resumption in-person trials and other proceedings (Mar. 21-25, 2022)
The court will continue to hear all in-person civil, family, and criminal proceedings scheduled between Mar. 21 and Mar. 25.
Alberta
Continuation of COVID–19 restrictions and policies
Persons attending the court will still be required to wear face masks, observe social distancing, and comply with mandatory vaccination policies.
This notice will also apply to all persons attending the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta and the Court of Appeal of Alberta.
Manitoba
Notice - No need to self-isolate for out of province parties or witnesses (Mar. 9, 2022)
The court will no longer require parties or witnesses from outside the province to self-isolate for 14 days if they are not experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms.
New Brunswick
Provincial Court of New Brunswick
Notice to profession and public – Updated COVID–19 directive (Mar. 11, 2022)
Wearing face masks inside courtrooms will still be mandatory. However, the presiding judge may permit all or some attendees to remove their masks. This mandate will also apply to all persons attending the Court of Queen’s Bench of New Brunswick.
The court will continue to hear all criminal matters, including first appearances, pleas, elections, trials, sentencing hearings, preliminary inquiries, applications to vary court orders, judgments, and other hearings, as scheduled and require the accused to appear in person.
If an individual is allowed to attend trial via telephone, they should appear from a private location where decorum is always maintained. The judge may require a self-represented individual to appear in person, at least for a first appearance.
The court will require an accused in custody to appear by videoconference for a first appearance, election, plea, setting a trial date, requesting adjournment, and show cause hearings. If technological means are not satisfactory to the judge, they may appear in person.
For all other matters, attendance will be in person. If an individual is allowed to attend trial via telephone, they should appear from a private location where decorum is always maintained.
Notice to profession and public − Updated COVID-19 directive (Mar. 14, 2022)
Subject to the judge’s discretion, affidavits may still be sworn or affirmed by videoconference.
Until further notice, the court will hear commercial insolvency matters in the Judicial District of Saint John. These commercial insolvency matters include:
- Application for an initial order or stay extension order under the Companies Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA);
- Appointment of a liquidator, receiver, interim receiver, or receiver-manager under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA), Business Corporation Act (BCA), Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act (BIA), or Rules of Court;
- Application for an interim or final order of arrangement, or shareholder disputes requiring immediate relief under the CBCA or BCA;
- Application for bankruptcy orders under the BIA and falling under the jurisdiction of the court;
- Application for relief related to a restructuring proceeding under the BIA or CCAA.
These matters may be heard through teleconference if deemed urgent or time-sensitive.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Revised COVID-19 court scheduling – Mar. 10, 2022
The Small Claims Court in St. John’s will resume hearing all matters on Apr. 4.
