Fw: Important one Teri-please read

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Sent: Tuesday, February 19, 2002 11:23 AM

Subject: Important one Teri-please read

Wednesday, August 1, 2001 Judges may sue premierKlein will apologize and help find satisfactory solution to office space problem By DAN PALMER -- Edmonton Sun

EDMONTON -- Alberta Appeal Court judges in Calgary are threatening to sue Premier Ralph Klein over remarks about their office space, he confirmed. But the premier says he still wants to help them find new temporary digs. "They haven't gone to the point of suing me, but they've indicated they're not very happy with the remarks made at the Stampede breakfast," Klein said yesterday. "Having said that, I'm still willing to work with the judges to find a satisfactory, temporary solution to this problem. "We are committed to building new court facilities in the city of Calgary." In a letter to Klein, a lawyer for the judges said the remarks were inflammatory and require a public apology, the premier said. "I feel that I've apologized, but the letter from the lawyer, quite frankly, says 'We don't think the apology goes far enough,' " he said. The letter came after Klein suggested last month Chief Justice Fraser's decision to move operations to Edmonton was related more to job action than health concerns. Klein said he's willing to apologize, but the wording and the form need to be negotiated first. In a statement yesterday, Fraser said the court is in talks with the province on a number of issues. "It is not our intention to carry on these discussions in the media," she said in the statement. "We remain hopeful and confident that all matters will be resolved in an appropriate and timely way." Reporters asked him why he wouldn't just apologize on the spot. Klein, who said he hopes it doesn't end up in a lawsuit, said he is willing to apologize but he stopped short of doing it. He earlier wrote a letter to Fraser saying he meant no disrespect to the court and apologized if any offence was taken. The whole issue has to do with new office space for the Appeal Court division in Calgary, which had to be evacuated from its old courthouse after toxic mould and other harmful substances were found. Fraser announced last month the court will move its operations to Edmonton starting in September. About two-thirds of the judges and three-quarters of the staff continue to suffer respiratory problems, she said. The judges say they were advised by a medical expert they and the staff need to work in a building with "superior air quality" or their health problems would get worse and may become permanent. -- with files from CP

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