The Minister of Justice says a plan to address wait times and staffing shortages in the province’s court system is coming in this week’s budget.

A number of courts abruptly closed last November – including circuit courts in Baie Verte and Port aux Basques, while civil hearings, traffic hearings and Contraventions Act cases for court in St. John’s, Grand Falls-Windsor and Stephenville were adjourned indefinitely.

A working group was struck earlier this year to address issues in the system and reported back to the minister last month.

Opposition justice critic Pam Parsons raised the matter during Question Period, asking Minister Helen Conway Ottenheimer whether the processing of thousands of speeding tickets issued by speed cams will be affected by the court closures.

“Addressing this issue with the courts has been a priority of our government” says Conway Ottenheimer. She says access to justice and matters related to the speed cameras is something they’re currently working on. “I look forward to providing an update in the coming days on our government’s investment in the justice system.”)