Supreme Court parking spaces not a 'perk' for judges: province

Coun. Jonathan Galgay's proposal to remove reserved court house parking spots to free up parking in downtown St. John's is not viable, according to the Department of Justice and Public Safety. 

For the last 25 years, the capital city and the provincial government had an agreement by which spots would be reserved for trial division and court of appeal judges for a price.

• Jonathan Galgay wants reserved courthouse parking made public

According to the department, it pays $27,467 plus tax per year for 25 parking spaces near the courthouse.

Galgay's suggestion to move the spaces to the new parking garage on Duckworth Street is a not an option, a representative from the department told CBC News, because of security reasons.

Currently, the parking spots are watched over by sheriff's officers.

"Courthouses are the places where significant and often controversial decisions are made and emotions of participants can run high," a statement said.

"Moving those spaces farther down Duckworth Street would compromise proper monitoring and enforcement by the Sheriff’s Office."

Galgay told the St. John's Morning Show on Tuesday that the city would take in more money if it chooses to eliminate reserved parking. 

The department said the new court complex — which is in the early planning stages — would include secure, internal parking.