Ontario is making strategic investments in public safety and strengthening justice services in Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes as part of its modernization of the adult correctional system across Eastern Ontario.
New construction and building upgrades – including a new correctional complex in North Grenville, replacing the Brockville Jail and expanding the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre – will modernize facilities, address issues of overcrowding and create new spaces for the delivery of mental health services, inmate programming and staff training.
The announcement was made today by Premier Doug Ford, Solicitor General Sylvia Jones and Leeds-Grenville-Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes MPP Steve Clark.
“These critical investments demonstrate our government’s ongoing commitment to our incredible frontline corrections workers, while also providing an important boost to our local economy,” said MPP Clark. “I am so proud today’s announcement includes expanding the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre to provide treatment for female inmates with serious mental health needs. This is a project I have worked on for years alongside community leaders to build on the expertise we have now at the facility.”
The modernization strategy for Ontario’s Eastern Region includes:
- Building a new Greater Ottawa Correctional Complex on an existing government-owned site in Kemptville to improve staff and inmate safety.
- Replacing the Brockville Jail, which is currently the oldest in the province, (built in 1842) with a new facility that will increase capacity and improve access to services and programming in the area.
- Expanding the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre and Quinte Detention Centre to improve mental health services for female inmates and add capacity.
- Renovate the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre to better accommodate programming for inmates and other initiatives.
“Our frontline corrections staff have been absolute champions throughout the pandemic, putting their communities first and keeping all of us safe,” said Premier Ford. “By making these important investments in Eastern Ontario, we will modernize our corrections system, better protect our corrections officers and contribute to our economic recovery through these new construction projects.”
“The Ontario government is making a substantial investment that will transform the corrections system in Eastern Ontario,” said Solicitor General Sylvia Jones. “Modernizing outdated infrastructure and building new facilities will create a better and safer environment for our hard-working frontline staff and address overcrowding in many of our institutions.”
The Eastern Region Strategy builds on the government’s plan to invest $500 million over five years to modernize correctional facilities and support frontline corrections officers across the province, including the hiring of more than 500 new corrections staff. The Eastern Region Strategy will provide benefits throughout the area for years to come, including the creation of jobs that will help stimulate the economy over the long term as Ontario moves into the next phase of recovery from COVID-19.
“Strengthening public safety by modernizing corrections infrastructure is essential to sustaining the prosperity and well-being of communities in Eastern Ontario,” said Clark. “These investments will solidify the foundation on which our communities can plan for growth.”
