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McGuinty Government's Proposed Downsview Site Would Also House Coroner
TORONTO, Nov. 19 /CNW/ -
NEWS
Ontario is seeking public input on the location of a new state-of-the-art
Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex.
The proposed site is a six-acre parcel of government-owned land in
Downsview at Wilson Avenue and Keele Street. It would house the Centre of
Forensic Sciences, the Office of the Chief Coroner and the Provincial Forensic
Pathology Unit. It will have the advanced technology necessary to support
growing needs and keep pace with the demands of the justice sector.
Over the next few weeks, details of the consultation and information
sessions will be communicated to area residents by mail and in local newspaper
advertisements. Information will also be posted on the ministry's website.
The proposed site will be subject to an environmental assessment study,
available for comment in January 2009. If approved, the new Forensic Services
and Coroner's Complex could be ready for occupancy in late 2012.
QUOTES
"We need to invest in new facilities and technology to improve
crime-solving and autopsy capabilities to keep pace with the increasingly
complex demands of the justice sector," said Minister of Community Safety and
Correctional Services Rick Bartolucci
(http://www.mcscs.jus.gov.on.ca/english/about_min/bio.html).
"The proposed Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex is an excellent use
of existing government lands and will bring construction and highly-skilled
jobs to this area," said York Centre MPP Monte Kwinter
(http://www.ontla.on.ca/web/members/members_detail.do?locale=en&ID=56&detailPa
ge=members_detail_career).
QUICK FACTS
<<
- Moving this project forward supports the Goudge Report
recommendations for a new, modern facility to house the Office of the
Chief Coroner and related forensic sciences.
- The Centre of Forensic Sciences investigated more than 10,000 cases
last year involving injury or death in unusual circumstances and
crimes against persons or property.
- The Office of the Chief Coroner conducts 20,000 forensic death
investigations every year, more than one-third originating in the
Greater Toronto Area.
LEARN MORE
Read more about the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure's Class
Environmental Assessment Process
(http://webx.newswire.ca/click/?id=7d1d432a4e9ceaa)
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CONSULTATION TO BEGIN ON PROPOSED SITE OF NEW
FORENSIC SERVICES AND CORONER'S COMPLEX ANNOUNCED
>>
Public consultations on a new state-of-the-art Forensic Services and
Coroner's Complex proposed to be located on a six-acre parcel of
government-owned land in Downsview will begin over the next few weeks.
The complex would house the Centre of Forensic Sciences, the Office of
the Chief Coroner and the Provincial Forensic Pathology Unit under one roof.
The offices are currently located in small, outdated facilities that are
over 30 years old at the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional
Services downtown Toronto location, with no existing room for expansion.
CENTRE OF FORENSIC SCIENCES
<<
- Provides forensic examinations for cases involving injury or death in
unusual circumstances and in crimes against persons or property
- Investigated over 10,000 cases last year.
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF CORONER
- Conducts 20,000 forensic death investigations every year, 7,500 of
which are in the Greater Toronto Area.
NEW FORENSIC SERVICES AND CORONER'S COMPLEX
Subject to an environmental assessment scheduled to be posted for comment
in January, a state-of-the-art Forensic Services and Coroner's Complex at
Downsview would:
- Be an efficient use of existing government lands and a cost-effective
opportunity to bring critical forensic agencies under one roof
- Provide improved tools, technology and laboratory requirements to
better meet increasing job demands
- Provide space for more autopsies and more forensic science cases per
year
- Meet all present and future Ministry of Community Safety and
Correctional Services requirements.
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For further information: Laura Blondeau, Minister's Office, (416) 325-4973; Tony Brown, Communications Branch, (416) 314-7772
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