Latest news with #FordGovernment
CBC
17-07-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Province adding 150 new jail beds. Experts say they aren't enough to address overcrowding concerns
Social Sharing Ontario's solicitor general says the province is adding 150 beds to three jails across the province using modular construction — a "Band-Aid" solution, experts say, that doesn't do enough to address overcrowding. The announcement comes not long after the province's ombudsman raised concerns about an overcrowding "crisis" in Ontario's correctional facilities, saying some are operating at more than 150 per cent of their capacity, compromising safety for inmates and staff alike. Solicitor General Michale Kernzer said Thursday that the investment was not just about new beds or buildings, but a message to criminals from Ford's "tough-on-crime government." "If you commit a violent crime in Ontario, you will be caught, you will be prosecuted, and you will be locked up," he said. Kernzer made the announcement Thursday at the Niagara Detention Centre, which will expand by 50 spaces, as will the Vanier Centre for Women in Milton, and the Cecil Facer Youth Centre in Sudbury, which is also being converted to an adult facility. Construction is expected to begin next year and cost the province more than $180 million. While Kernzer said the investment would uplift a "strained and overburdened" correctional system, experts and people who deal with Ontario's correctional institutions say the province needs to hire more staff, alleviate overcrowding in jails and fund community-based solutions. "Realistically there need to be hundreds and hundreds more beds if we are going to truly try and treat people with a modicum of dignity and humanity," said defence lawyer Alison Craig, who works with many clients currently in provincial jails. The ombudsman's June report found a "state of crisis" in the province's jails, hearing complaints about a range of issues, from frequent lockdowns to overcrowding. In some cases, the report found three inmates were bunking in cells made for two. More beds, modern institutions needed: union rep Janet Laverty, chair of the ministry employee relations committee for Ontario Public Services Employees Union, which represents corrections officers, says the new beds are a "medium-term solution" to help modernize facilities. "There are no simple fixes to these challenges," she said, saying appropriate staffing resources will be added when the expansions are operational. "The reality is we need more beds across our system. More beds means we need new and modern correctional institutions and building new institutions takes time." Premier Doug Ford has also recently been pushing the federal government for stricter bail laws and urging judges and justices of the peace not to let violent, repeat offenders out on bail when they are charged with a new crime. Provincial jails hold people accused of a crime but not out on bail, as well as those serving sentences of two years less a day, but advocates have pointed out the vast majority fit into the first category and have not been convicted. Staffing, community solutions more important, say others Craig says nearly all of her clients are "triple-bunking" in tight cells and overcrowding is a concern in all of the province's facilities. She says before beds are added at facilities, the province needs to address under-staffing. "The conditions at all of the jails at the moment are absolutely inhumane," she said. "What they need to invest in is people to make the beds that we currently have livable and then after that is addressed, perhaps additional beds is the next step." Stacey Hannem, criminology professor at Wilfred Laurier University, says the new beds barely alleviate issues in the correctional system. She says the province needs to first address the root causes of crime and fund communities to manage mental health, substance use and access to housing. "Throughout history, you look at periods of economic crises and periods of great disparity and inevitably that leads to more people coming into conflict with the law," Hannem said. "My first thought is that 150 beds across the Ontario system is like putting a Band-Aid on a giant gaping wound," she said.
CTV News
15-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
New train design unveiled for Northlander revival
The Ford government and Ontario Northland are chugging along with the revival of the Northlander train, connecting Timmins to Toronto.
Business Wire
06-07-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
OCEU/CUPE 1750 Members Vote Yes to Ratify Tentative Agreement
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Ontario Compensation Employees Union (OCEU/CUPE 1750) is pleased to announce that its members have voted to accept the tentative collective agreement negotiated by their bargaining committee. The union remains concerned about the ongoing anti-union measures being pursued by the Ford Government and will remain vigilant in defending workers' rights and fair bargaining processes. Share 'I am proud of my coworkers and the strength of our union, we are a critical safety net for Ontario workers and Ontarians spoke up, sending thousands of messages to the WSIB leadership,' said Harry Goslin, President of OCEU/CUPE 1750. 'Together, we were able to secure the best possible outcome and successfully pushed back against the employer's attacks on union seniority rights.' This strike was a historic moment for our union and the broader labour movement. We thank our members for their unwavering commitment and courage, the public for their understanding, and our fellow unions for their solidarity and support throughout this challenging fight. As members prepare to return to work on Monday, July 7, 2025, the union remains steadfast in its commitment to protect workers' rights and health. OCEU/CUPE 1750 will continue to stand in solidarity with other public sector unions currently negotiating collective agreements. The union remains concerned about the ongoing anti-union measures being pursued by the Ford Government and will remain vigilant in defending workers' rights and fair bargaining processes. mb/cope491
CTV News
04-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Residents, Ont. NDP leader rally against Dresden landfill
Residents continue to fight against a proposed Dresden landfill. CTV Windsor's Robert Lothian has an update. A community effort to keep a landfill out of Dresden was met with support on Thursday by the leader of the Ontario NDP. Marit Stiles backed the cause at a rally against the landfill and the provincial government's passing of Bill 5. 'This is a prime example of a government and a premier making another promise and commitment and breaking it,' Stiles told those at the rally in Dresden. Led by Stiles, a crowd of more than 100 people chanted 'kill Bill 5,' which paved the way for a long-dormant landfill to be revived without the need for an Environmental Assessment. 070325 Ontario NDP leader Marit Stiles met with Dresden residents and stakeholders against the revival of the dump site. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) The Ford Government pushed through the 'Protect Ontario by Unleashing our Economy Act,' at the tail end of the spring sitting. On Thursday, representatives from Walpole Island First Nation, the Kent Federation of Agriculture and PSAC spoke openly against the legislation. 'You are going about this in bad faith, and you are not proving to us that you are a trusted proponent,' said Leela Thomas, Chief of Walpole Island First Nation. York1 Environmental Solutions is seeking to revive an old landfill site on Irish School Road on the northern tip of Dresden, supposedly for a construction and demolition materials recycling facility. Rhonda Jubenville, the area representative for the Municipality of Chatham-Kent said they have had little correspondence with York1. 'They haven't applied for any zoning applications or anything, so we've heard zero, nil, nothing,' Jubenville said. In recent weeks, construction equipment was dropped off at the landfill site. Chatham-Kent has instructed by-law officers to monitor the site for any potential infractions. 070325 Chatham-Kent residents Wendy Lewis, left, and Dawn Ostler attended a rally in Dresden against a proposed landfill. (Robert Lothian/CTV News Windsor) 'I do worry for the people of Dresden and the surrounding area, along with the impact of the land and farms, the tributaries like the Sydenham and Molly's Creek and the air and all of the wildlife who call these places their home,' Jubenville noted. Absent from the crowd was Steve Pinsonneault, the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP, who represents Dresden. Pinsonneault has previously spoken out against the proposed landfill on social media but has faced backlash for his frequent silence since the Ford government's reversal . He chose to abstain from voting on Bill 5 rather than casting a vote against it. 'Steve Pinsonneault, show up and do your job buddy, we're waiting,' yelled Stefan Premdas of Dresden C.A.R.E.D, standing beside Stiles. A spokesperson for the MPP's office told CTV News in an emailed statement Pinsonneault had funding announcements and scheduled committee meetings in London. 'While he was not able to be there in person, MPP Pinsonneault remains engaged with the concerns raised by the community and continues to monitor the situation closely,' said Michelle Dwyer, his executive assistant. While the legislation has passed, Stiles encouraged residents to continue their fight against the landfill until it is permanently stopped. '[Doug Ford] introduces a bill, he lies, he lies again, and then we build the public pressure, and he repeals the bill, so this is what we've got to do again,' Stiles said.
CTV News
01-07-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Alcohol to be permitted on Windsor pedal pubs starting July 1
Pedal pub passengers in Windsor will soon be able to sip a drink while they ride. The Ford government has announced that, starting July 1, alcohol can be served and consumed on pedal-powered tour bikes in Ontario — including Windsor, one of four cities in the province where the businesses already operate. The change is being welcomed by Windsor's downtown councillor. 'Looking forward to seeing that happen. It's another cool thing to be happening in the community,' said Ward 3 City Councillor Renaldo Agostino. Previously, drinking on pedal pubs was not allowed. Participants could travel between licensed establishments but weren't permitted to drink onboard. The new rules, enabled by a regulation change under Ontario's Liquor Licence and Control Act, will allow alcohol with a special licence from the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario. 'Anytime you can, instead of taking away when it comes to experiences, that's a good thing,' Agostino said. 'And this is that, the government adding an experience that people are doing all over the place. I know people go over to Detroit all the time for it. It's a fun thing to do to get a group of friends together. And it's a daytime activity. It's something different and it'll be cool in Windsor.' Agostino said questions about safety and liability remain to be seen, but is confident that this is a positive step for the local community. 'I think the most important thing is how the AGCO will regulate it. Because there is some danger when you're drinking on a pedal bike,' he said. 'But, you know, we're not the first to do it, so we won't be the last. It will be interesting to see how the insurance companies in this country handle it, because that's a whole other level of complexity when it comes to do stuff like that, since obviously there's gotta be some type of insurance coverage, and I'm not sure anybody in the province offers that type of coverage.' Windsor-Tecumseh MPP Andrew Dowie also applauded the move, calling it a boost to the region's tourism and small business sectors. 'Really, what we saw here was a great opportunity to allow for more local Ontario product to be distributed, local Ontario breweries, wineries, cideries, other producers,' Dowie said in an interview on AM800's Dan MacDonald Show. 'Gives them another venue to sell, our local products and create a destination experience for our community.' Dowie added, 'This is one more step in our growth of the tourism industry that we have here in Windsor-Essex.' Operators of Windsor's Pedal & Pour tour say the change has been a long time coming. 'It is exciting news, like, beyond exciting to hear that they are finally going to allow us to serve alcohol, as we've been waiting for this for about three years,' said Head of Public Relations Leeann Corbeil. Corbeil said the business was created to offer a new kind of experience. 'We started this business to bring some unique opportunities to people living in Windsor, but also those that are there for tourism,' she said. 'You know, there was always these opportunities across the border, but not on this side. So it also opens up the opportunity for local breweries and restaurants.' She added, 'As you know, we encourage 2 or 3 stops on the tour to go and experience some of these restaurants and pubs and breweries that they might not have tried otherwise. I know adding the opportunity for them to have a drink on route to these, I think, just adds a little extra to the whole experience.' Locals who spoke to CTV News also shared support for the plan — with some caveats. 'Yeah, I think it's a good idea,' said Windsor resident Eric Brouillard. 'As long as they're cautious, you know, they're not drinking and driving too much, you know? I mean, have a couple of drinks, socialize or whatever, but, yeah, just be careful and make sure that you stay hydrated with some water or something too.' 'As long as there is something nice to do in the city and it's exciting and the driver is not drinking, it's great,' added John Vacratsas. 'The more we have downtown the better it is.' To serve alcohol onboard, pedal pub operators must be licensed through the AGCO, which will maintain oversight and enforce responsible service rules. Municipalities, including Windsor, retain authority to regulate routes, hours of operation and other safety considerations. Ontario officials say the change supports the province's $32-billion tourism industry and aligns with efforts to modernize its alcohol marketplace.
