In exclusive interviews with MyKemptvilleNow.com, the two candidates for Mayor of North Grenville in the municipal election gave their perspectives on the Ontario government’s planned prison.
Colleen Lynas, a member of the Coalition Against the Proposed Prison, says the project is an example of lacking transparency in government.
“Particularly as it relates to conversations around what I believe are going to be the inevitable impacts of the facility on the community,” Lynas explains, “including property tax increases, pressures on our infrastructure, strains on our policing and fire resources, and increased pressures on our already struggling local emergency room.”
Nancy Peckford, the incumbent candidate, says she acknowledges that the prison hasn’t been well received by much of the North Grenville community, and wants to see the results of the recently requested Judicial Review of the facility plan.
“If the province missed a step in their own process, if they weren’t diligent enough on a piece of that, then I look forward to the results of the Judicial Review,” Peckford says. “The reality is, what we understood was that the province had the right to use those lands for a proposed correctional facility, and that zoning was in place, but if they missed a step in the process, then I look forward to seeing the results of the Judicial Review.”
The prison was first announced in 2020, and an application for a Judicial Review was submitted by two North Grenville residents August 15th.
Election Day is October 24th.