February 12, 2008
The Toronto Sun
Letter-to-the-Editor

Dear Editor:

As Critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services for the Official Opposition, I wanted to take this opportunity to respond to the letter of Sunday, February 9th written by the Hon. Rick Bartolucci, Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

We at Queen’s Park all agree that the work done by our Correctional Service employees is some of the most difficult and stressful work done by any public employee.  For that reason it is completely unacceptable that any employee should be subjected to any kind of negative racial activity that would add even more stress to the job.

What I found disturbing about the Minister’s letter is his failure to acknowledge that his ministry and the Minster’s Office has known about this racial problem for well over two years now.

The Minister, in his letter fails to admit the dismal performance of his ministry by “asking anyone with information that could help us find those responsible to come forward.”  One would ask why this request was not put forward almost two years ago when it was raised in the provincial legislature.

What we really have is a classic case of neglect. There were no opportunities for expensive photo-ops or re-announcements, so virtually no attention has been paid to the correctional workers’ complaints. 

This scenario should sound familiar.

As we approach the second anniversary of the Caledonia occupation on February 28th, the citizens of Caledonia and area have been neglected in the same manner these correctional workers have been.

As the provincial legislature prepares to sit for the spring session, the Official Opposition will be looking for the McGuinty government to provide leadership on these tough issues and not turning their backs and neglecting those involved.

Thanks you,

Garfield Dunlop, MPP
Simcoe North
Critic for Community Safety and Correctional Services