The New Toronto Megacourthouse is not for youth

The question of whether or not Toronto should have separate courthouses for young people and for adults was properly resolved six decades ago. Separate courts were established to specifically deal with legal matters involving children. The decision was based upon the best evidence about the appropriate treatment of adolescents whose needs were significantly different from those of adults.

Opened in 1957, the Ontario Court of Justice at 311 Jarvis St. brings together family courts, youth courts, and youth support services all under one roof. It was designed to be “more clinic, than court,” fostering a child-centred approach to youth justice that aims to address the underlying factors that lead young people into conflict with the law.