The newly elected MPP for Bruce Grey Owen Sound is calling on the McGuinty Government to rethink the plan to close the Walkerton and Owen Sound jails.
Bill Walker says no one has provided him with any numbers to show the government will actually save money by closing the facilities and transferring prisoners to Penetang or Windsor.
Walker says he never received a heads-up from the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional services that the announcement was being made on Thursday.
He has written a letter to the Minister asking that he defer any action until the proposal is reviewed.
Some workers are planning to transfer to Penetang, while others are going to similar facilities in the province or taking early retirement.
Both the Scenic City and Walkerton have been fighting to keep the jails going, arguing the closure had not been well researched by Queens Park.
Mayor Deb Haswell is planning on meeting with Owen Sound Police chief Bill Sornberger this week to discuss the impact on his force.
