In 2020, the provincial government quietly approved plans to replace the Brockville jail with a new 235-bed correctional facility in Kemptville for men and women at all security levels, although the majority will be minimum or medium security inmates. The new facility is scheduled to be completed in 2027 and is intended to reduce pressure from overcrowding experienced at the Ottawa-Carleton Detention Centre. But many in the community have made it known they are not in favor of the location, a short distance from downtown Kemptville. Victor Lachance and Kirk Albert say the Ontario government has not effectively consulted or provided sufficient information about the construction of the prison. The site of the new facility is close to several schools and a hospital. (Ministry of Attorney General) Their opposition to the prison is now going to court. Lawyers arguing on behalf of Albert and Lassans say the province did not follow the proper process before announcing the construction of the jail and are now seeking a judicial review of the matter. They say residents were not properly consulted and claim the project is in breach of community plans and will destroy more than 70 hectares of farmland. “At a time when we need forward-thinking government and strong leadership more than ever, it’s critical the province re-examines its priorities and where to spend precious tax dollars,” Albert said during a press conference held Monday outside the Ottawa Court. , where the notice of application was filed.

Kirk Albert, who lives in Kemptville, Ont., says residents have filed for a judicial review of the proposal to build a new jail in the community, saying the site doesn’t meet the necessary criteria for the project. “The failure to address recurring issues in the criminal justice and correctional systems and the failure to prioritize the preservation of valuable farmland lacks the foresight many in this province expect.” That position was echoed by Justin Piché, an associate professor of criminology at the University of Ottawa, who said the province should be building communities, not cages. “Why are we spending, you know, about half a billion dollars on this new prison, when we could be spending that money on providing permanent supportive housing for people?” asked Pisse. Opponents gathered in Kemptville on November 7, 2020, to protest the prison’s location. (Submitted by Marty Pemberton) Lachance said the province did not meet its own requirements and should admit it. “The simplest thing for them would be to agree that they actually didn’t do it right. There’s an on-ramp. Take it,” he said. “They know as of today that they must take this legal action into account and govern themselves accordingly.” The CBC sought comment from the province on this matter Monday and is awaiting a response.

The Municipality should receive surplus land

In an emailed statement to the CBC, North Grenville Mayor Nancy Peckford confirmed that from a zoning perspective, the jail is allowed on the proposed site, which is provincially owned. Peckford also noted that the township expects to receive about 40 hectares of surplus land from the province as part of the project. “The City is strongly committed to an open and respectful dialogue so that there is as much information sharing and public participation as possible,” Peckford wrote. “We fully expect the Ontario government to honor its commitments to North Grenville to transfer surplus land for community-led agricultural initiatives — and to ensure that all infrastructure and related costs for the provincial settlement are met 100 percent from the province.”