The proposed closure of the Owen Sound jail could become a provincial election issue.
The province wants to close the jail at the end of this year but there’s a provincial election in October.
And as we told you last week — Bruce Grey Owen Sound MPP Bill Murdoch says a Conservative government would not close any jails.
Bill Walker is representing the Progressive Conservatives in the riding in October’s election — and he supports keeping the jail open.
Walker attended the City Council meeting Monday night in support of staff members of the jail who appeared and spoke of their concerns regarding the proposed closure.
After the meeting — Walker said in an interview that current MPP Bill Murdoch has made PC Leader Hudak aware of the situation.
Walker says Hudak will review the situation carefully and decide what will be the best move for the taxpayers of Ontario..
As far as Walker is concerned, closing jails without giving any thought to the social and economic impact is not at all a good move for taxpayers.
He says the province can say all it wants that the city won’t be responsible for prisoner transfers between Owen Sound and Penetanguishene, but someone will have to pay that cost and there’s only one taxpayer..
Walker also says it’s important to preserve institutions like jails in rural communities.
Owen Sound Mayor Deb Haswell has a meeting scheduled for Wednesday morning with Ontario Community safety and Correctional Services Minister Jim Bradley about the jail issue.
