Solicitor Generals’ Office comments on Judicial Review request

In response to the article in last week’s Times reporting on the application for a Judicial Review of the province’s decision to open a prison in Kemptville, the Office of the Solicitor General submitted the following comment to this office.

“We are proud of the steps our government has taken to strengthen our justice system from top to bottom, including by modernizing correctional facilities in the eastern region of our province through the construction of the new Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex in North Grenville. The proposed correctional complex will be the most modern and efficient facility in the province, and will have a special focus on rehabilitation.

“The Ministry of the Solicitor General cannot provide any details on any specific case that is currently before the courts. The Solicitor General looks forward to continuing to engage with residents, municipal and ministry partners on this important issue.”

The statement by the SOLGEN’s office is in keeping with much of the information coming from that source over the past couple of years, in that it says little or nothing, and adds nothing to the issue. The fact that the request is before the courts is obviously an impediment to any substantial response by the government, and the more important response will come when they officially respond to the application when it is heard at some point in the future.