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EDITOR'S DESK BY GAIL J. COHEN Moving pictures ain't so bad on their thoughts about it. "I'm interested in the views of people as to whether we should move forward," he said. "I'm open." Ontario had a pilot project in 2007 that saw courtroom No. 1 at the Ontario I Court of Appeal wired for live streaming of proceedings. Last month, I participated in a meeting with the court's media committee at which judges admitted there had been a report done on the short-term pilot and it had been well-received, however not much had been done with the report since then. CP got hold of the report, which recommended the attorney general amend the Courts of Justice Act to allow the use of cameras in Ontario courts, saying their images have "great potential" as a learning tool for students and lawyers. In January, Canadian Lawyer reported that British Columbia Attorney General Mike de Jong was also putting together a camera-in-the-courts pilot project. He's all for it, but says it's up to the judges to give a yay or nay on putting the cameras in for the pilot. A positive step forward on that front came recently when B.C. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Bauman decided to allow TV cameras in courtroom 55 for the final days of the polygamy reference case. The closing arguments and final summations of all parties should be completed by April 8. Cameras are everywhere in today's society, and transparency is essential to the concept of justice in our system. Allowing cameras and recording devices in the courtrooms has been the norm in the United States for years. It is true that some- times things get a little "dramatic" in the courts, but the justice system there hasn't fallen apart. Judges here in Canada fear the decorum and dignity of the court could be lost, but perhaps the opposite is true. Perhaps if those arguing cases before the courts are televised so everyone, including their moms, can see what they're up to, it might even make counsel think twice before behaving badly. The ongoing campaign of law societies and other leaders of the bar to bring civility back into the courts could get a boost in the arm from having everyone's bad behaviour out there for all to see. I think that's more likely than the legal system being brought into disrepute in any way, shape, or form. Witnesses can be protected, other concerns can be addressed. It's 2011, let's get some cameras into those courtrooms. I want my court TV! — gail.cohen@thomsonreuters.com n mid-March, Ontario Attorney General Chris Bentley said in an interview with the Canadian Press that he was open to the idea of putting cameras in the courtroom and wanted to canvass judges, prosecutors, and defence counsel THIS MONTH EXCLUSIVELY ON CANADIAN Lawye rmag.com Trials & Tribulations Margaret Waddell ruminates on issues of import and interest to litigators. April 11 Human Rights . . . Here & Th ere University of Ottawa law school's Sonya Nigam's column on human rights and international law. April 11 Financial Adviser Financial planner Alan Acton helps lawyers better manage their money. April 11 Defi nitely Mabey Stephen Mabey examines the thorny issues facing law fi rm management. April 18 Th e IT Girl Sarah Dale-Harris takes a wry look at the intersection of technology and the law. April 18 David Paul's Field Notes Tips for the small and solo fi rm from David Paul. April 18 Letter from Law Law Land Wit and wisdom from Vancouver's Tony Wilson. April 25 Group Publisher: Karen Lorimer Editorial Director: Gail J. Cohen Staff Writer: Robert Todd Copy Editor: Heather Gardiner Art Director: Bill Hunter Account Co-ordinator: Catherine Giles Contributors: Jean Sorensen, donalee Moulton, Diane Cook, Kathryn Leger, Michael McKiernan, Andi Balla Canadian Lawyer is published 11 times a year by Thomson Reuters Canada Ltd., 240 Edward St., Aurora, Ont. L4G 3S9 (905) 841-6480 Fax: (905) 727-0017. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reprinted without written permission. The opinions expressed in articles are not necessarily those of the publisher. Information pre- sented is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. Canadian Lawyer disclaims any warranty as to the accuracy, completeness or currency of the contents of this publication and disclaims all liability in respect of the results of any action taken or not taken in reliance upon information in this publication. 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