Remarks by
Honourable Thomas W. Marshall, Q.C.,
Minister of Justice and Attorney General
on the occasion of the
Official Opening of the new Supreme Court, Court House
Happy Valley-Goose Bay
Wednesday, April 20, 2005 at 9:30 a.m.

Chief Justice, Chief Judge, First Nations, Chiefs and Elders, Mayor Abbass, Colleagues, Honoured Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen: Welcome all. "I am glad to see you."
[Inuktitut: kho-yah-lee-vungh-ah Ill-loon-nah-see Taa-moun-gah-sim-ah-gop-see]
[Innu: Ah-moom: Thank you for coming here to this new place.
Ja-naa-ska-ma-tin ka-jhee-ta-kuu-she-ni-euk Oot-tay Kuu-kaah-wah Mee-chu-wop]

It is indeed a pleasure for me to be here this morning to preside at the official opening of this new Courthouse facility, this "new place." [Inuktitut: Igg-loo-mut Noo-tom-mut]
[Innu: kuu-kaah-wah Mee-chu-wop]. I would like to think it signals a new and hope filled beginning, a tangible commitment, to see justice applied in new and innovative ways in the multi cultural context of the various traditions that come together and coalesce in this unique part of our Province. "I hope we can learn more from each other in this new place."
[Inuktitut: Ikk-ka-yut-tee-ghee�loo-taa-toook Taa-maan-ee Pit-sigh-naa-lough-taa Taup-soo-mun-ee Igg-loo-mee Noo-tom-ee]
[Innu: We will learn to walk together
Maa-tshe-skoo-tee-maa-too-au oot-tay kuu-shah-wah Mee-shew-wop]

I participated yesterday in a "Gathering on Labrador Justice, History and Culture" at Northwest River and at Sheshatshiu. I did a lot of listening and learning. It became clear to me that, though inextricable intertwined with the legal history of the island portion of the Province, Labrador had its own unique legal traditions from earliest times. Though we might sometime forget this, it should come as a surprise to none of us. The law reflects, and helps structure, the society from which it springs. The administration of justice in Labrador had to respond to the unique challenges of a mixture of cultures and languages, an immense geography and a physical separation from the island part respectively of the colony, the Dominion, and the Province. This reality, and the challenges it brings, are as true today as they were from the time of the fishing admirals, naval commanders and then judges. Nina Goudie�s short essay reminds us that Judge Patterson faced all of these challenges when he arrived in Indian Harbour, Labrador, in 1826.

Courthouses have a special significance in our communities. They are public facilities created for the administration of justice. As such, their design, operation and function must provide tangible expression of the fairness and impartiality which our justice system seeks to embody. They are built not only for judges but also for citizens. They are places for dispute resolution. I am satisfied that the design and construction of this new facility embodies in an appropriately functional way the values of fairness and impartiality.

However, I am cognizant that in addition to their functional value, courthouses also have great symbolic value. This goes to the heart of the significant role justice plays in the constitution and stability, the warp and woof, of the social fabric. It is for this reason that I am especially pleased that the design of this new Courthouse, this "new place," [Inuktitut: Igg-loo-mut Noo-tom-mut]
[Innu: kuu-kaah-wah Mee-chu-wop] incorporates concepts and ideas not present in any other Court facility in the Province: namely, circles and an aboriginal healing room.

For those of you who have not yet had an opportunity to tour this new facility I would encourage you to take advantage of the occasion and to do so today. You will note that the main Courtroom is designed as a series of concentric circles. This design element is an architectural effort to reflect an openness to the traditions of our first nations peoples within the traditional spatial arrangements and configurations adopted by the common law. The core values at the centre of aboriginal justice are those of vision and wholeness governed by respect. The architectural message is that these values are welcome in this "new place. This design is a first for this Province and I am honoured to have the opportunity to be part of it and see it come to fruition.

Later this morning we will participate in the official opening and dedication of the Circle Healing Room within the Courthouse. This also is a powerful first for this Province. The traditional aboriginal concept of illness or weakness involves the notion of being out of balance, or off centre. It is complemented by the idea that healing involves the restoration of balance. The first step in the traditional restorative process is understanding the root causes of the lack of well being. In the first nation�s culture this understanding begins with the Elders and what they have to teach. Because we are all capable of healing ourselves, although sometimes this requires the assistance of Elders, healing begins at one�s own centre. This is where responsibility ultimately resides. I acknowledge the wisdom of this teaching and I am impressed by the manner in which the architectural design of the ceiling of the Healing Room incorporates this notion. Its symbolic value should not be underestimated. Understanding and appropriating our traditions should help us realize the hope we all share for healthy and strong Communities and for a healthy and strong Labrador.

I applaud the decision to name this room in memory of Victoria Budgell, a long serving and valued aboriginal member of the Court�s staff who was taken from us early. I welcome her family and look forward to speaking to them in the course of today�s activities.

The commemorative plaque which we will unveil shortly to mark the occasion of this opening contains the motto "Justice, Justice shalt thou follow ..." These words come from the old testament text Deuteronomy 16:20. The word "justice", it will be noted, appears twice. This is generally taken to signify the duel sense of the term: "justice" as a cosmic principle that maintains harmony in the world and makes possible the world�s continued existence; and "justice" as doing the right thing in a legal procedure, the application of our cosmic principles in our every day legal dealings. In the pursuit of justice we have to engage justly, with honesty and fairness. This is sound advice as we set about the task of delivering justice in this "new place". The law, though universal in form, must respond equitably and with righteousness to the particular needs of real individuals living in real, and complex, communities.

I am honoured that you have all come out today to join with me in celebrating the official opening of this new Courthouse. While there can be no doubt that the administration of justice in Labrador raises special challenges, it also holds great potential and great hope. This "new place" is at a cultural crossroads of a number of rich traditions. I believe that sensitivity to these traditions must constitute an integral part of a just, justice system - and that a just, justice system is an essential tool in building a meaningful and prosperous future for ourselves and for our children.

Chief Justice, I am pleased to ask you to join with me in unveiling the commemorative plaque marking this opening.