Ontario Putting More Repeat Violent Offenders Behind Bars in Kawartha Lakes

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

Kawartha Lakes — The Ontario government is providing $417,672.68 over three years to the Kawartha Lakes 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.

“Enforcing bail conditions is not just a matter of justice, but a commitment to community safety” said Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock. “Ensuring offenders comply with bail conditions, and reprimanding those that don’t, are crucial steps in maintaining a safe environment for everyone.”

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

“The Kawartha Lakes Police Service appreciates the investment by the Provincial government and the Solicitor General, to enhance public safety and establish a dedicated bail compliance and offender management unit,” said Mark Mitchell, Chief of the Kawartha Lakes Police Service. “This unit will enhance our efforts to ensure that violent offenders and those on bail conditions, are complying with the conditions of their release.

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

William Hume
Legislative Assistant
Office of MPP Laurie Scott
Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock
william.hume@pc.ola.org