Ontario Putting More Repeat Violent Offenders Behind Bars in Cornwall

Province giving Cornwall Police Service more resources to monitor and enforce bail conditions

NEWS

Cornwall — The Ontario government is providing $1,106,763 over 3 years to Cornwall Police Service to help prevent repeat and violent offenders from committing serious crimes while out on bail. The funding is part of the province’s plan to help protect communities, support victims of crime and keep people safe.

“I am pleased to hear that the Cornwall Police Service is receiving $1,106,763 over 3 years to help prevent repeat and violent offenders in our community,” said Nolan Quinn, MPP for Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry. “Ensuring police services have the resources to keep their communities safe while preventing repeat and violent offenders from committing crimes while out on bail is the government’s top priority.”

Through the Bail Compliance and Warrant Apprehension (BCWA) Grant program, the government is investing $24 million across the province to help establish dedicated bail compliance and/or warrant apprehension teams to monitor high-risk individuals. The funding is being delivered over three years and will also support new technology for a province-wide bail compliance monitoring system.

“It is unacceptable that repeat and violent offenders are committing serious crimes while out on bail,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “By giving police the tools they need to track and arrest offenders who violate their bail conditions, our government is helping to ensure Ontario is one of the safest jurisdictions in Canada.”

The BCWA Grant is part of a $112 million investment to strengthen the province’s bail system and ensure repeat and violent offenders comply with their bail and court-ordered conditions. Other initiatives include:

• The creation of a Bail Compliance Unit within the OPP’s Repeat Offender Parole Enforcement (ROPE) Squad
• The establishment of Intensive Serious Violent Crime Bail Teams within the court system
• A new province-wide bail compliance dashboard to help monitor high-risk offenders with the most accurate data possible

“Cornwall Police Service is grateful to receive this funding as it will greatly assist us in providing a strengthened response regarding Bail Compliance and supporting the safety of the community we serve,” said Shawna Spowart, Chief of Police for Cornwall Police Services. “Project Safety Net aims to effectively reduce the number of bail violations/criminal acts being committed by individuals who are out on bail through the creation of a Bail Compliance Team. By taking a multi-faceted approach, this project will address prevention, diversion and enforcement measures resulting in a greater overall impact on community safety.”

The BCWA Grant program will support 17 municipal police services, four First Nations police services and 12 Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) services.

QUICK FACTS

• Ontario is fighting auto theft by investing $51 million over three years to help police identify and dismantle organized crime networks and put thieves behind bars. This includes $18 million to support new and enhanced crime-fighting measures.
• In November 2023, the Ontario government introduced the Enhancing Access to Justice Act, 2023 that will, if passed, make it easier for more victims of crime to sue an offender for emotional distress.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

• Community Safety Initiatives and Resources
• Ontario Takes Action on High-Risk and Repeat Offenders

MEDIA CONTACT Office of Nolan Quinn, MPP Stormont-Dundas-South Glengarry Tel: 613-933-6513 / TF: 1-800-514-9660 Email: nolan.quinn@pc.ola.org