For immediate release:
December 20, 2006  

Barrett backs Tory call to open justice system

(Queen’s Park) – It’s high time that the people of this province be allowed insight into Ontario’s justice system to see if it is working to keep families safe.

That from Haldimand-Norfolk-Brant MPP Toby Barrett following the introduction of Progressive Conservative Party Leader John Tory’s private member’s bill to truly open up the justice system and its workings to the eyes and ears of Ontarians.

“It’s hard to know how we can improve the justice system if we can’t first see the statistics that would show where the system is failing,” said Barrett. “Mr. Tory’s Private Members Bill will ensure that we all have a handle on the big picture – for example, how many are charged each year with violence.”

Tory introduced the Truth and Transparency in the Justice System Act yesterday in the Legislature. The Act would change the Courts of Justice Act so the Attorney General would annually report to Ontarians on the justice system, detailing the number of people charged with violent offences, bail violations, sureties collected, plea bargaining details, and several other types of statistics about the functioning of the justice system.

“We hear disconcerting stories every day about our justice system but right now the government refuses to keep track of the overall picture,” said Tory. “Right now we keep track of how many eggs are laid each year in Ontario but not important bail and sentencing information.”

The Bill will be debated and voted on Thursday. It has already been endorsed by several victims’ rights advocates.

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For more information, please contact MPP Toby Barrett at: (416) 325-8404,
(519) 428-0446 or 1-800-903-8629