THUNDER BAY – The City of Thunder Bay will ask provincial and federal governments to review sentencing policies for serious offenders, citing concerns over early releases and reduced sentences.
Coun. Aldo Ruberto’s call to launch the advocacy efforts originally failed on a 6-6 tie on Jan. 25, with many of his colleagues arguing the issue was outside of city jurisdiction and ran counter to restorative justice approaches supported by the community.
Ruberto pushed back on that line of argument after calling for a re-vote Monday, as council approved the previous meeting’s minutes.
“We’re not going after the marginalized criminal, the user, the person not committing major violent crimes,” he said.
“We should do everything possible to rehabilitate a person, but when they come out and go through the system over and over again, and you want to let them out earlier or reduce their sentences – how does that help society?”
Ruberto’s motion will see the city advocate for “a national and provincial review of judicial sentencing relating to violent crimes, major drug distribution, human trafficking, and gang association.”
The city’s Intergovernmental Affairs Committee will be tasked with carrying out that advocacy, while a copy of Ruberto’s brief resolution will be sent to a variety of provincial and federal leaders.
Voting for the resolution Monday were councillors Aiello, Ch’ng, Hamilton, McKinnon, Ruberto, Peng, and Mayor Bill Mauro.
Councillors Bentz, Foulds, Fraser, Johnson, and Oliver opposed the motion.
Northwood councillor Shelby Ch’ng was the deciding factor Monday, flipping her vote to support the motion.
Following a conversation with Ruberto, she saw little harm in seeking the review, she said Tuesday.
Coun. Trevor Giertuga was absent on Jan. 25, and declared a conflict due to his employment in the correctional system on Monday.
