1
The Police Association of Ontario and both opposition parties have joined OPSEU in urging the provincial Liberals to abandon any plan to down- load the prosecution of the most serious non-criminal provincial offences, known as Part III offences, to municipal- ities. Bill 177, the Stronger, Fairer Ontario Act, passed last December, allows the province to move the prosecu- tion of offences, such as care- less driving, hit-and-runs, sex offender registry violations and serious motor vehicle col- lisions, including tractor trailer rollovers, from the Ministry of the Attorney General to municipalities. In his letter to Premier Kathleen Wynne, Warren (Smokey) Thomas, President of OPSEU, said he was "deeply concerned" about the new legislation. "People who prosecute Part III offences with very serious penalties up to and including imprisonment should be employees of, and directly accountable to, the Ministry of the Attorney General," he wrote. Others are also speaking out about the possible download, including Police Association of Ontario (PAO) President Bruce Chapman. In his letter to Premier Wynne, he wrote, "The PAO strongly believes that the prosecution of Part III offences should remain with the Ministry of the Attorney General in order to preserve and foster public safety, accountability, transparency and justice." NDP justice critic Gilles Bisson has posted a video statement roundly condemn- ing any move to download Part III prosecutions. Bisson said Wynne is "at it again," following in the foot- steps of former Premier Mike Harris, who infamously down- loaded many public services onto municipalities. The MPP for Timmins-James Bay repre- sents a large number of north- ern municipalities and warned many could not assume the fiscal burden. "We have the expertise within the provincial count system. We know how to do it well," Bisson said. "Downloading that onto a municipality that may not have the resources to do it is problematic from a legal prospective, but also a fiscal perspective." "Nobody outside this govern- ment approves of the down- load of justice: not the police, not the opposition, not the prosecutors and certainly not me," said Thomas. "It's absolutely the wrong thing to do. The due process of law in Ontario should not, and must not, be relegated to a patch- work of municipal govern- ments." April 16th ~ 22th, 2018 THE OSHAWA/DURHAM CENTRAL NEWSPAPER Page. 17 lookINg FoR WoRk? WE WANT YOU!!! The Central Newspaper is looking for: ADVERTISING CONSULTANTS We train you. Great Pay. Great Job. Start your new career TODAY!!! Apply in person: 136 Simcoe St. North, Suite #4. Oshawa THIS COULD BE YOU? IS JOURNALISM FOR YOU? WANT TO FIND OUT? Enroll Today NO FEES Learn from the Industry leaders. Learn from the pro’s. Guaranteed Employment at the end of successful 9 month course. Why waste your time in a College program... IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES (905)432-2657 SAVE 10% ON ANY DVD, VINYL LP AND BOX SET WITH THIS AD Wilson & Lee Ltd. (Music Store) 87 Simcoe St., N Oshawa ~ 905-725-4706 www.wilsonandlee.ca Mon - Wed 9 - 6 * Thurs - Fri 9 - 8 * Sat 9 - 5 Love Old Movies? 500 on SALE, DVD’s $4.99 +UP See Mina our Film Buff Vinyl is back! New pressing by Beatles - Stones - Floyd Sabbath - Neil Young - and Many more... also 3,000 used LP’s Buying CD’ s for a senior? Don’t get Frustrated. Avoid the mall. We carry all the favorites from the 1950’s. Talk to Bill he is old. He knows! Pop, Classical, Blues Jazz and Country Box Set s Make Great Gif t s - Beatles - Roy Orbison - Rolling Stones - Jerry Lee Lewis - Black Sabath - Waylon Jennings - Elvis Presley - Michael Jackson - Beach Boys - Jimi Hendrix - Pink Floyd - Fleetwood Mac - The Band - And of Course Guitar And Amps - Ukes and Violins - Mandolins, Flutes, Trumpets, Clarinets, Saxes and Keyboard. We also have music books for all of the above Deals can be made - C- Dave/Mike/Aaron Alexander’s Music Studios 1360 Kingston Rd, Pickering Home of ‘Talent CAN Be Taught’ By Head Instructor S. Riches, Principal & Owner, B.Mus, B.Ed, ARCT Achievers and Recreational Lessons Available - Achievers Program Includes: Guaranteed First Class Honours on Royal Conservatory of Music Examination Call us Today to discuss your musical potentials 905-420-6741 POLICE, OPPOSITION, DENOUNCE 'DANGEROUS' PROSECUTION DOWNLOAD
