News Releases

Ontario Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Harper Government Announces Action for Safety of Canadian Streets and Communities

Prison expansion to help keep dangerous criminals behind bars

Gravenhurst, Ontario, January 10, 2011 – Today, the Harper Government announced further action for the safety of Canadian streets and communities with an investment to help keep dangerous criminals behind bars. The $10-million announcement in the expansion of Beaver Creek Institution in Gravenhurst in order to better provide for the safety and security of Canadians was made by the Honourable Tony Clement, Minister of Industry and Member of Parliament for Parry Sound-Muskoka, on behalf of the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety.

"Our Government is proud to be on the right side of this issue — the side of law-abiding citizens, the side of victims who want justice, and the side that understands the cost of a safe and secure society is an investment worth making," said Minister Clement, on behalf of Minister Toews. "The expansion of Beaver Creek Institution not only reaffirms our government’s commitment to Ontario, but helps ensure that criminals serve sentences that better reflect the severity of their crimes."

This $10-million expansion will involve the construction of one new 50-bed living unit at Beaver Creek Institution. It is anticipated that this new living unit will be completed in 2012-2013.

"In the previous system, a violent criminal sentenced to nine years in prison could potentially be on our streets in as little as three years if he or she spent two years awaiting trial. This possibility is not acceptable to Canadians," said Minister Clement. "We are acting to ensure that the criminals pay their debt – their full debt – to society."

It is anticipated that over the coming years, CSC will be adding over 2,700 beds to men’s and women’s facilities across Canada.

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For more information, media representatives may contact:

Ayesha Mohid
A/Regional Communications Manager
Correctional Service of Canada
613-545-8210

Christopher McCluskey
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
613-991-2865