Edmonton courthouse resumes normal operations after temporary solution re-energizes building
Weeks after a power outage paralyzed the Edmonton Law Courts, normal operations have resumed, the province says, despite a lingering mystery about what caused the problem in the first place.
A spokesperson for the Infrastructure Ministry confirmed to CTV News Edmonton Tuesday that a "temporary electrical solution" has been successfully implemented while work continues to design and manufacture a permanent fix.
"At this time, the exact cause for the power disruption has not been identified and is still being investigated," said Benji Smith, press secretary to Alberta's infrastructure minister.
On Jan. 4, a major power outage in the south tower caused disruptions and cases to be adjourned at the Court of King's Bench and Court of Appeal, with all non-emergency lighting lost.
Danielle Boisvert, Criminal Trial Lawyers Association president, told CTV News Edmonton that the situation caused "a lot of chaos and confusion" and is another reason a new building is needed.
"A courthouse is absolutely one of the foundational buildings in a civil society. It is located right next to city hall for a reason. It is the grounding touchstone, the physical embodiment, of the rule of the law and of the openness of the justice system and the access the public should have to that system," Boisvert said on Jan. 10.
- Partial power returned to law courts' south tower, no timeline for full restoration: infrastructure minister
- Power outage at Edmonton Law Courts sees cases adjourned, moved
"So when ours is as shabby as it is, and as concrete, as it is, it doesn't invite people in," she added.
The province has indicated it has developed a business case with options for either renovating the courthouse or building a new facility.
With files from CTV News Edmonton's Alex Antonesyhn
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
Documents reveal Ottawa's efforts to get Loblaw, Walmart on board with grocery code
It was evident to the federal government as early as last fall that Loblaw and Walmart might be holdouts to the grocery code of conduct, jeopardizing the project's success.
opinion The special relationship between King Charles and the Princess of Wales
Royal commentator Afua Hagan writes that when King Charles recently admitted Catherine to the Order of the Companions of Honour, it not only made history, but it reinforced the strong bond between the King and his beloved daughter-in-law.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Improve balance and build core strength with this exercise
When it comes to cardiovascular fitness, you may tend to focus on activities that move you forward, such as walking, running and cycling.
'I just want to be safe': Ukrainian man in Canada faces limbo amid consular freeze
A recent decision to restrict consular services for fighting-aged Ukrainian men has made a Ukrainian man in Canada feel less certain of his next steps — and worried he could be pulled back to the war.
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Dozens of U.S. deaths reveal risks of injecting sedatives into people restrained by police
The practice of giving sedatives to people detained by police has spread quietly across the U.S. over the last 15 years, built on questionable science and backed by police-aligned experts, an investigation led by The Associated Press has found.