THUNDER BAY -- Corrections officers are seizing on a glimpse of hope the Thunder Bay District Jail could be replaced, adding a new facility needs to be built as soon as possible.
A dozen Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU) members demonstrated outside of city hall on Monday prior to the annual city council meeting in which Mayor Keith Hobbs would deliver his State Of The City Address.
The union announced Friday provincial officials have informed workers the Thunder Bay District Jail has been shortlisted for a new facility, along with Sudbury, Ottawa and North Bay. The union has argued the proposed 450-bed jail would reduce pressure on facilities in Kenora and Fort Frances while keeping inmates close to home.
OPSEU Local 737 representative Mike Lundy said, however, Ontario's seven-year construction timeline for a new jail's construction is unrealistic.
"The time is now that we can do this," Lundy said.
"They can do this in five years if the will is there. They really have to understand the Thunder Bay Jail is not going to last seven to 10 years."
Lundy said the Thunder Bay Corrections Thunder Bay is an ideal candidate, as the province already owns property on the Thunder Bay Correctional Centre that is zoned institutional.
"We honestly believe having a state-of-the-art corrections facility that works at rehabilitiating, that gives us an area to deal with mentally ill offenders is a bonus for the community," Lundy said.
"It will make the communtiy safer, it will make outlying communities safer and that we can take pressures off".
Lundy hoped city council would hear its broader message, that Thunder Bay should represent its interests as opposing the privatization of public services.
"Ever since Hydro One's sold off, the rates are soaring to the point where people have to choose between paying their hydro bills or eating," Lundy said.
"Especially come Christmas, it's a really important story to get out there. People can't afford these soaring costs. We've seen it with the MTO, we've seen it with the MNR: privatization equals failure."
