Modernizing and securing Canada’s courthouses: what the 2025 budget reveals

Courthouses are central to the functioning of democracy. They are where civil, criminal, and administrative cases are resolved, and they must be both accessible and secure. In recent years, incidents and rising concerns about violence have highlighted the need to strengthen courthouse security and modernize judicial infrastructure in Canada.

The 2025 budget, at both federal and provincial levels, reflects this priority. Significant investments have been announced, ranging from new secure complexes to digital modernization of courts, as well as upgrades to existing buildings.

Federal investments
The Courts Administration Service (CAS), which manages the infrastructure and administration of the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, Tax Court of Canada, and Court Martial Appeal Court, has been allocated 208.74 million dollars for 2025–2026. Of this, 46.15 million is specifically earmarked for capital expenditures, including modernization and security upgrades.

Another major announcement is the construction of a new federal courthouse complex in Montreal, unveiled in 2024. Designed to be modern, digital, inclusive, and highly secure, this project exemplifies the government’s commitment to providing facilities that meet contemporary standards. It replaces outdated infrastructure and integrates advanced security features from the start, such as reinforced access controls, secure detention and transport areas, and state-of-the-art surveillance technologies.

Provincial initiatives: Quebec and British Columbia
In Quebec, the government announced in March 2025 an investment of 31 million dollars to modernize several courthouses, including the construction of a new facility in Salaberry-de-Valleyfield. This project aims to create a safer environment while improving access to justice.

Funds are being used to upgrade physical security systems, renovate aging infrastructure to better protect staff and users, and integrate digital tools to support hybrid hearings and electronic case management.

In British Columbia, the 2025 provincial budget includes 24 million dollars to improve access to justice and strengthen security infrastructure, particularly at the Vancouver courthouse. The goal is to expand courtroom capacity and enhance security measures to protect judges, lawyers, staff, and litigants.

Key trends
Three clear trends emerge from these investments. Physical security is being reinforced with modern access control, video surveillance, and compartmentalized circulation. Digital modernization is accelerating, notably through the National Case Management System Modernization Project (NCFMP), which will equip courts with secure electronic case management. Finally, accessibility and inclusivity are being prioritized, from mobility adaptations to compliance with bilingual obligations.

Why these investments matter
Courthouses are sensitive environments where litigants, lawyers, judges, juries, and sometimes defendants in serious cases converge. This creates unique risks, from tensions during high-profile trials to contraband entering courtrooms.

Strengthening physical infrastructure is essential to prevent incidents. Digital modernization ensures resilience against disruptions and enhances efficiency. Visible investments also build public confidence, demonstrating that the state takes courthouse safety and accessibility seriously.

In 2025, Canada is dedicating substantial resources to securing and modernizing its courthouses. With 208.7 million dollars for the Courts Administration Service, flagship projects like the new Montreal complex, and provincial investments of 31 million in Quebec and 24 million in British Columbia, the message is clear: courts must be safe, accessible, and modern. These efforts reflect a political will to adapt the justice system to today’s challenges: violence risks, social expectations, and digital transformation.

Sources:

Government of Canada, Public Safety – Departmental Plan 2025–26

Government of Canada, Federal Courthouse Complex in Montreal, May 2024

Government of Quebec, Provincial Budget 2025, justice announcements

Government of British Columbia, Budget and Fiscal Plan 2025