Councillor wants to know the fate of the Bail Bed program

The Bail Bed Program in Kenora has been closed since June, and member of city council want to know why.

The program had been run by the Ministry of the Attorney General, and the building is located behind the Comfort Inn.

The Bail Bed Program provides housing and supports to vulnerable individuals charged with minor offences,

Councillor Bob Bernie says having the facility up and running could potentially reduce the OPP’s calls for service locally.

“I would say that if that building was open and you had the right candidates in there, it would affect public safety,” Bernie told Kenora city council recently.

“So, I really think that this needs to be expedited. It needs to be top priority.”

Bernie adds that it is a service that should be up a running.

“I really think this is unconscionable. It’s a big miss for our community right now and I think it could have an effect on public safety.”

The Kenora District Services Board is the building’s landlord, but the utilities are being paid for the by Attorney General’s office.

Sarah Stevenson, acting CEO of the KDSB is hopeful the facility will be open soon.

“They (the Ministry of the Attorney General) are working with Grand Council Treaty #3 to have the program re-opened. I don’t have a status update on their opening.”

Bernie says this is an issue he wants to raise in Toronto later this month at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association Conference.