Yesterday afternoon, officials representing the Province of Manitoba, City of Dauphin, RM of Dauphin, and several other key groups attended a breaking ground ceremony for the new Dauphin Centre for Justice.
In attendance from the Province was Premier Wab Kinew, Minister of Agriculture and Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn, and Minister of Justice Matt Wiebe. In his time as Manitoba's Minister of Justice, Matt Wiebe has taken the stance of restorative justice and finding the root of crime as one of the most important parts of the process. He said this new Centre for Justice will do a lot for that end goal.
"If we've got somebody inside for a short period of time, what can we do to get them on the right path, how can we offer them the supports and services, how can we change the channel for themselves, but also for their kids, and for their community for generations to come...there was already good work happening in Dauphin, there were good opportunities to partner, and that means that if somebody's getting released back into community, that we're not just sending them back into community without any kind of supports, that we're having proper release planning, that we're having proper training and therapeutic help, and we're releasing them into a place that can accommodate that," said Wiebe.
From the start of this process, the Province has been involved with several key interest groups within the community, whether it's been the City of Dauphin, Prairie Mountain Health, the Dauphin Friendship Centre, or one of many others. Wiebe said conversations with those key partners are what led to the Justice Centre's planned focus on not only secure custody, but therapeutic supports and community connection.
"The partnership extends from everyone from the City, to the First Nations surrounding this facility, and the [Manitoba Métis Federation], and other Indigenous communities, this is the way that we build justice in the 21st century. This is the kind of justice system that's going to really turn the corner when it comes to over-representation of Indigenous people in our communities," said Wiebe.
The Province has committed an investment of $142 million to the first phase of the Justice Centre. The site's overall design, as well as the programs and services that will be offered, stem from those engagements with community stakeholders.
"Looking just at something basic as visitation or allowing connection back into community, we're going to have a more welcoming space to bring people in...our inmates don't just, they're not just there serving their time. They're actively advancing their own path to a better life, and it's hard work. I give a lot of props to those guys who are in there doing this work, but every step that they take is a path to a safer Manitoba," said Wiebe.
Once complete, the Justice Centre plans to have 100 beds, with 25 of those designated as therapeutic-community beds, involving structured living and release planning measures. The Justice Centre hopes to bring a large number of jobs back to Dauphin, possibly in the hundreds, tying in to the City of Dauphin's recent struggles with available and affordable housing. Dauphin MLA Ron Kostyshyn said those conversations are ongoing between the Province and City to find solutions. He also said himself and the Province are committed to having conversations with the City and other stakeholders to address concerns.
"The conversations have happened, and I think one of the things that this Government believes, that we're fully transparent, we want to communicate, we learned it from the Premier down, everybody as ministers, we're working together, let's work together to make things better...as far as the discussions with the City of Dauphin, that's been ongoing discussions, opportunity of development, but at the end of the day, I think as a Government, we're here to work with you, the City or surrounding communities," said Kostyshyn.
Full construction of the Dauphin Centre for Justice is expected to start in the summer of 2025, with 2030 expected for full completion.
