Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Results-based Plan Briefing Book 2008-09

Results-based Plan Briefing Book 2008/09

Ministry Overview

Ministry Vision, Mission/Mandate

The Ontario government is committed to making Ontarians safer in their communities by being tough on crime through strong enforcement and tough on the causes of crime through effective prevention.

The ministry's Directional Statement is "serving all of Ontario's diverse communities to keep our province safe." The ministry strives to meet this commitment through high performance policing, strong enforcement, leading edge scientific and technological investigative work, emergency management expertise, community safety preparedness and effective offender supervision and rehabilitation.

The mandate of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services (MCSCS) is to ensure that all of Ontario's diverse communities are safe, supported and protected by law enforcement and that public safety and correctional systems are safe, secure, effective, efficient and accountable.

The ministry has a wide range of responsibilities, which include:

Frontline policing
Establishing and ensuring policing and private security standards
Providing police oversight services
Overseeing municipal fire protection services
Coordinating community safety initiatives, animal welfare, forensic and coroner's services, fire investigation/prevention and emergency preparedness and response and,
Supervising and positively influencing the rehabilitation of adult offenders in correctional institutions and in the community.

The ministry, working through the Public Safety Division and the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), is improving the protection of victims, children and other marginalized Ontarians through assertive action against violent crime and activities that fund crime.

Working through Emergency Planning and Management, the ministry is ensuring community emergency preparedness and response capabilities throughout the province and supporting municipal fire services in Ontario's communities.

Correctional Services is committed to enhancing community safety through effective supervision, care, custody and intervention, influencing the behavioural change and re-integration of offenders into communities as productive members of society.

Working with our Justice Sector partners, the Ministry of the Attorney General (MAG) and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services (MCYS), the ministry is committed to transforming the way justice works for the people of Ontario by building a more responsive and efficient justice system.

Key Priorities & Results

Every family deserves to feel secure in their own home and on the streets of their community. The Ontario government's approach to personal and community security is to be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. The ministry is dedicated to keeping Ontario's diverse communities safe by focusing on five key goals:

Deliver services and set standards, policies, and guidelines in policing, corrections and public safety to keep Ontario's communities safe.

Continue to work with our justice sector partners MAG and MCYS regarding the operation of the Provincial Operations Centre (POC) and guns and gangs-related initiatives, the upfront Justice strategy and other policy, program and legislative horizontal initiatives that support ministry and government priorities and public confidence in the justice system.
Implement the recommendations of the Goudge inquiry and their implications for the death investigation system.
Ensure police are equipped with the tools to enforce traffic safety measures and help keep dangerous drivers off the road.
Introduce animal welfare legislation that includes the regulation of zoos.
In addition to effectively managing the adult institutional corrections population, reduce re-offending through early intervention, intensive supervision, enforcement, diversion and rehabilitation and work with the federal government on a protocol on release of high risk offenders into Ontario.

Contribute to an effective, efficient and seamless justice system that serves all of Ontario's diverse communities.

Continue to manage capacity pressures in correctional institutions and address remand issues through an operational capacity review, infrastructure initiatives and leading a national study of changing correctional populations.

Deliver responsive programs and services that meet the unique needs of Ontario's diverse communities.

Continue to implement the recommendations of the Hate Crimes Community Working Group's report.
Continue to support our aging population through programs such as Crime Stoppers, Senior Busters and Phone Busters.

Provide public education regarding fire safety for newcomer communities.

Work with Aboriginal communities to address their community safety service delivery needs and develop harmonious and mutually respectful relationships.

Continue to work with the Ministry of Aboriginal Affairs to implement Justice Linden's recommendations, address the Mushkegowuk human rights complaint, recommendations that come out of the Kashechewan inquest and work to improve the delivery of community safety services in Aboriginal communities.

Lead and promote a healthy, diverse and engaged workforce and organization that reflects the ministry's values and the communities we serve.

Ensure that, through the work of our Organizational Effectiveness Division, the remaining Human Rights Tribunal of Ontario Orders are implemented.
Continue to identify and remove systemic barriers to equity and inclusion and ensure that the ministry's outreach, recruitment, retention and promotion systems are inclusive and representative of Ontario's diversity.
Continue efforts to increase employee engagement.

Key Performance Measures

The ministry is protecting and preparing our communities for Ontario's safe future by focusing on the following performance measures:

The rate of traffic fatalities (reported in a calendar year) in areas of Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) jurisdiction per 10,000 vehicles registered was 0.64 in 2007. The OPP is committed to maintaining the rate of traffic fatalities in OPP jurisdictions at or below the three-year provincial average. The 2008 target, based on the 2005-2007 average, is 0.64.
The clearance rate for violent crimes in Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) jurisdictions was 89.61 per cent in 2007. The OPP is committed to maintaining clearance rate for violent crimes in OPP jurisdictions at or above the three-year provincial average. The 2008 target, based on the 2005-2007 average, is 90.51 per cent.
The rate of injuries in preventable structure fires per million population (based on five-year rolling average) was reduced from the baseline of 73.1 in 2002 to 57.6 in 2006. In 2008, the ministry is committed to maintaining the rate at or below the five-year rolling average of 58.5 injuries per million population. (Due to delay in reporting from municipalities, the ministry has introduced a lag of one year when reporting on this measure to ensure availability of data. As a result, the 2008 report back will reflect 2007 data. Target of 58.5 injuries in preventable structure fires per million population is based on 2002-2006 five-year average.)

Ministry Activities

The Ontario government is committed to making Ontarians safer in their communities by being tough on crime through strong enforcement and tough on the causes of crime through effective prevention.

COMMUNITY SAFETY and CORRECTIONAL SERVICES

Public Safety Division

The Public Safety Division works with its policing partners to promote community safety. Activities include: training through the Ontario Police College, scientific analysis in the Centre of Forensic Sciences; licensing of private security practitioners; development of guidelines and standards; monitoring and inspecting police services; distribution of crime prevention grants; support for intelligence led operations; management of provincial appointments and selections systems; delivery of the Major Case Management system; the promotion of animal welfare; and representing the province in negotiating tripartite First Nations Policing Agreements.

Ontario Provincial Police (OPP)

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) delivers provincial, First Nations and municipal policing services. The OPP has a unique mandate among police services, providing both provincial policing and policing services to municipalities. Responsibilities include policing provincial highways, waterways and snowmobile trails, conducting province wide criminal investigation in areas such as child pornography, drug enforcement and organized crime; and providing specialized services and support. Working closely with Emergency Management Ontario, and other agencies and ministries, the OPP contributes to the ministry's emergency plan. In support of the province's anti-terrorism and emergency and disaster management strategy, the OPP's Hate Crime/Extremism Unit combats incidents of hate crime and criminal extremism in Ontario and the Provincial Emergency Response Team responds to any high level emergency.

Correctional Services Division

The Correctional Services Division provides services and programming for adult offenders during three stages of the criminal justice process:

Pre-trial stage: period in which accused persons are held in custody pending a bail hearing or trial.

Post-trial stage: period during which the offender is awaiting sentence. Adults may be sentenced to a period of provincial incarceration of up to two years less one-day, or a community sentence of probation (up to three years) or a conditional sentence (up to two years).

Post-release stage: supervision may be part of an imposed sentence following a release on probation, conditional sentence or provincial parole.

Youth justice services were transferred to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services on April 1, 2004. During this period of divestment, some secure custody units for youth continue to operate in adult institutions.

On January 25, 2005, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was implemented between the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services and the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. This agreement provides the foundation for the effective administration of court orders affecting offenders 18 years of age and older serving concurrent youth and adult community sentences or offenders who are 20 years of age or older serving youth community sentences, as well as the preparation of court ordered reports. This agreement prescribes the supervision of an offender to become the responsibility of one ministry, and one probation officer, based on criteria and principles that take into consideration the safety of the community, the best interests of the offender and the effective, consistent supervision and management of offenders.

Adult Institutions

Ontario's Adult Institutional Services (AIS) provides secure custody and rehabilitative programs for adult offenders serving sentences of up to two years less one-day. The ministry currently directly operates 31 adult correctional institutions. In July 2007, the institutional system held an average of 8,691 adult offenders at any given time. In addition to providing custody and programs for sentenced offenders, the ministry also provides detention for those adult persons awaiting court proceedings such as trials and immigration hearings. The ministry also provides custody for sentenced offenders awaiting transfer to Federal penitentiary.

Adult Community Corrections

Adult Community Corrections (ACC) is responsible for the provision of supervision, enforcement, rehabilitative programs and services to adult offenders serving sentences in the community as part of probation, conditional sentence or provincial parole orders. ACC is also mandated to prepare court-ordered reports to assist the Courts in arriving at an appropriate sentence and pre-parole reports to aid the Ontario Parole and Earned Release Board's (OPERB) decision process.

Authority is provided under both provincial and federal legislation including: the Ministry of Correctional Services Act, Provincial Offences Act and Criminal Code of Canada.

As of January 31, 2008 there were 56,519 adults under community supervision (52,706 on probation, 3,576 on conditional sentence and 237 on parole.) The ministry currently supervises these offenders directly through 101 probation and parole (P & P) offices. In addition, there are 18 administrative P & P offices located in some courts and correctional institutions.

EMERGENCY PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

Emergency Management Ontario

Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) leads the promotion, development, implementation and maintenance of emergency management programs throughout Ontario. EMO assists or supports 445 municipalities, all provincial ministries, First Nations and non-governmental organizations in emergency planning and preparedness.

Office of the Chief Coroner

The Office of the Chief Coroner's mandate is to answer questions surrounding deaths requiring investigation under the Coroners Act and to use the information gathered to prevent similar deaths and to promote public safety. The Office is particularly concerned with deaths that are sudden and unexpected and they look to answer five questions - who, what, why, where and how a person died.

Office of the Fire Marshal

The Office of the Fire Marshal works to minimize the loss of life and property from fire in Ontario by: supporting municipalities and fire departments across Ontario to meet the needs of their communities, including public education, fire prevention, firefighting, fire protection, training and fire investigation; advising government on public fire safety, policy, standards and legislation relating to fire prevention and protection; and investigating the cause, origin and circumstances of any fire/explosion that might have caused a loss of life, serious injury or damage to property.

MINISTRY ADMINISTRATION, CORPORATE AND TECHNOLOGY SERVICES

The ministry's core businesses are supported by corporate services that provide leadership, direction and planning. Ministry administration activities include the Minister's Office, Deputy Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services, Office of the Chief Administrative Officer, Communications Branch, Legal Services Branch, Business and Financial Planning Branch, Procurement and Business Improvement Branch, Human Resources Branch, and the Facilities, Emergency Management and Security Branch. The program also shares justice sector services for freedom of information, French language services, and for audit and quality assurance.

Policy And Strategic Planning Division

Reporting to both ministry Deputy Ministers, this corporate division is responsible for leading legislation and policy development exercises in support of ministry police, corrections, public safety and emergency management activities. The Division is also responsible for ministry strategic planning, policy research and evaluation, developing and monitoring performance measures and coordinating the ministry's Federal-Provincial-Territorial activities. The Division also coordinates the overall policy positioning for the programs and services the ministry delivers to support Aboriginal people and communities.

Organizational Effectiveness Division

The ministry has established and is committed to "Developing Healthy, Diverse and Effective Workplaces" as a business priority. To ensure that this priority is effectively addressed, the ministry has established an Organizational Effectiveness Division, with an Assistant Deputy Minister reporting dually to the Commissioner of Correctional Services and the Deputy Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services. The division is leading the ministry's organizational and culture change to improve health and diversity in our working environments and to implement change plans responding to issues of discrimination, racism and sexism in the ministry workplaces, with a particular focus in Corrections.

Justice Technology Services Division

The Information & Information Technology (I&IT) Justice Cluster, supports program objectives in the Justice core businesses, in alignment with the corporate I&IT Strategy by delivering reliable and cost effective technology solutions to support business transformation and by using technology as an enabler to achieve ministry goals. The cluster serves the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services, the Ministry of the Attorney General and the Youth Justice Services Division of the Ministry of Children and Youth Services. Key support is provided in technology solutions, information management and planning, services management, security and project management.

Highlights of Achievements

The ministry has achieved much in 2007/08 to further protect Ontario communities and to support the government's commitment of 'Stronger, Safer Communities'. Over the course of the year, the ministry has:

Completed hiring 1,000 officers under the $37.1M Safer Communities 1,000 Officers Partnership Program
Approved 200 additional officers for the OPP
Expanded the province's capability to combat organized crime
Continued to support and expand anti-violence initiatives
Invested in initiatives designed to combat hate crimes and extremism
Provided protection for children against internet sexual abuse and exploitation
Improved officer safety through the introduction of more visible patrol vehicles
Enhanced traffic safety on Ontario roadways
Continued support for Aboriginal communities
Enhanced emergency preparedness and response capabilities
Continued to strengthen correctional programs and services
Continued to support a wide range of initiatives that help keep Ontario's communities safe
Promoted healthier and more diverse ministry workplaces
Improved provision for animal welfare
Introduced legislation to strengthen the Ontario Sex Offender Registry
Proclaimed a new law that sets stricter standards for the private security industry
Proclaimed legislation to better protect emergency workers from the risks of being exposed to blood-borne illnesses on the job

Details of the above achievements are provided in Appendix I.

Organization Chart

The ministry realigned its organizational structure effective January 7, 2008 to focus its resources and achieve its mandate to serve all of Ontario's diverse communities to keep our province safe.

These changes are designed to consolidate operational areas under two Deputy Ministers: Emergency Planning and Management and, Community Safety and Correctional Services to better balance responsibilities and accountabilities.

Under the new structure, the new Deputy Minister of Emergency Planning and Management provides leadership to all facets of the government's emergency programs and has responsibility for Emergency Management Ontario, Office of the Fire Marshal and the Office of the Chief Coroner. The Deputy Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services has responsibility for the Public Safety Division, Correctional Services Program and Ontario Provincial Police. Both Deputy Ministers are supported by the corporate services functions of the ministry.

The ministry organizational chart shows the structure of the realigned ministry.

Organization Chart (PDF)

Legislation Administered by the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services

Ammunition Regulation Act

Regulates the sale of ammunition. The Act requires that purchasers be a minimum of 18 years old and requires that businesses keep certain records.

Anatomy Act

Allows the General Inspector (Chief Coroner) to send bodies, which are donated or unclaimed, to universities or colleges for educational purposes.

Christopher's Law (Sex Offender Registry), 2000

Requires sex offenders who are residents of Ontario to register with police on an annual basis and any time they change their address. The ministry is required to maintain the registry and provide access to the police.

Coroners Act

Provides for investigation into circumstances surrounding a death. The Act sets out the circumstances under which an inquest will be held and the procedures for holding an inquest.

Emergency Management and Civil Protection Act

Addresses both emergency preparedness and emergency response at municipal and provincial levels. The Act requires municipalities and ministries to develop emergency programs and formulate emergency plans.

Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997

This Act governs fire safety in Ontario and sets fire protection requirements for municipalities. The Act establishes the Office of the Fire Marshal to oversee the operation of fire departments.

Firefighters' Memorial Day Act, 2000

Establishes the first Sunday in October as Firefighters' Memorial Day.

Imitation Firearms Regulation Act, 2000

Regulates the sale and other transfers of imitation firearms, such as starter pistols and deactivated firearms.

Lightning Rods Act

Sets standards for the installation and inspection of lightning rods.

Mandatory Blood Testing Act, 2006

Enables certain classes of persons who have come into contact with the bodily substance of another to make an application for an order to have that person's blood tested for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B and C.

Mandatory Gunshot Wounds Reporting Act, 2005

Requires hospitals that treat a person for gunshot wounds to disclose that fact to the local police.

Ministry of Correctional Services Act

Establishes the legislative framework for correctional services in Ontario and governs matters relating to the detention and release from custody of adult inmates and young persons. This Act provides for the establishment and operation of probation services and other community supervision services, including services for young persons under the Youth Criminal Justice Act (This function has been transferred to the Ministry of Children and Youth Services).

Ministry of the Solicitor General Act

Establishes the Ministry of the Solicitor General. Pursuant to Order in Council 497/2004, the powers assigned to the Solicitor General were transferred to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act

Sets out inspection, enforcement and appeal procedures for prevention of cruelty to animals and dealing with animals in distress. The Act creates the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Animal Care Review Board.

Police Services Act

Provides the legislative framework for policing in Ontario. This Act sets out requirements for municipalities to decide method of providing adequate and effective policing in their communities.

Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005

This Act regulates private investigators and security guards. The Act repealed the Private Investigators and Security Guards Act.

Public Works Protection Act

Provides for the appointment and powers of guards to protect a "public work". Public work includes any provincial or municipal building, or any building designated by Cabinet.

Advisory and Adjudicative Agencies, Boards and Commissions

Advisory and Adjudicative Agencies, Boards and Commissions make communities safer by providing independent oversight and adjudicative services that protect the interest of the public.

Ontario Parole and Earned Release Board (Adjudicative)

The Ontario Parole and Earned Release Board (OPERB) has legislative authority to grant supervised conditional release to sentenced adult offenders serving less than two years in Ontario provincial correctional institutions.

OPERB is responsible for making decisions on offender applications for early release, including parole and unescorted temporary absence decisions over 72 hours. The board meets its primary goal of protecting the public by releasing only those offenders considered to be a manageable risk. The board may impose special conditions on any release granted.

Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services (Adjudicative)

The commission has general enforcement authority under the Police Services Act with respect to police services in Ontario. It may conduct disciplinary appeals, inquiries and investigations, and it may make recommendations to the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services.

Ontario Police Arbitration Commission (Adjudicative)

The commission provides conciliation and mediation-arbitration services to assist police associations and police services boards in the resolution of disputes arising out of contract negotiations and the administration of their collective agreements.

Constable Joe MacDonald Public Safety Officers' Survivors Scholarship Fund (Advisory)

This fund distributes scholarships for post-secondary education to the spouses and children of public safety officers who have died in the line of duty.

Animal Care Review Board (Adjudicative)

The board, under the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) Act, provides the public with an opportunity to appeal compliance orders and animal removals made by inspectors and agents of the OSPCA.

Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council (Advisory)

The Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council, established in 1993, promotes fire prevention and public education through sponsorships and partnerships with various groups and individuals with an interest in public safety. The council comprises representatives of the fire service, industry and the public.

With the introduction of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, the council was officially recognized as a corporation without share capital. Working at arm's length from government, the council forms partnerships, raises and distributes funds, and endorses programs and products necessary to further the development of Ontario as a fire-safe community.

Fire Safety Commission (Adjudicative)

The Fire Safety Commission is an adjudicative agency that considers appeals and applications related to specific matters identified under the authority of the Fire Protection and Prevention Act, 1997, (FPPA) and the Ontario Fire Code (OFC). The commission provides an avenue of appeal for persons who wish to dispute an inspection order served under the authority of the FPPA or by specific matters prescribed in the OFC. The commission may also consider an application made by a fire official within the discretionary powers provided under the FPPA. The commission conducts hearings to obtain a full and fair disclosure of facts relating to cases, and then decides on the dispute or application.

Financial Summary of Advisory and Adjudicative Agencies, Boards and Commissions

Expenditure	2008-09 (Estimate) $	2007-08 (Interim Actual) $
Ontario Police Arbitration Commission	462,900	432,500
Ontario Civilian Commission on Police Services	1,685,200	1,505,200
Ontario Parole and Earned Release Board	2,829,900	2,459,800
Sub-total, Vote 7 (Agencies, Boards and Commissions)	4,978,000	4,397,500
Animal Care Review Board*	93,000	60,000
Fire Marshal's Public Fire Safety Council*	22,000	19,000
Fire Safety Commission*	12,000	10,000
Public Safety Officers' Survivors Scholarship Fund*	200,000	110,600
Total	5,305,000	4,597,100

Figures include statutory appropriations.

Funding for these Agencies, Boards and Commissions is provided through the Public Safety Division and Emergency Planning and Management Division appropriations.

Ministry Financial Information

The ministry's investment in 2008/09 to keep Ontarians safe and to support the government's commitment of "Stronger, Safer Communities":

OPP - 41.2 per cent
Correctional Services - 35.6 per cent
Public Safety - 9 per cent
Emergency Planning and Management - 3.3 per cent
Other Services - 10.9 per cent

Note: Ministry's Investment in Priorities includes consolidations.

Table 1: Ministry Planned Expenditures 2008/09 ($M)

Operating	2004.4
Capital	106
Total	2110.4

Note: Ministry's planned expenditures are net of statutory appropriations and special warrants.

Table 2: Operating and Capital Summary by Vote

The mandate of the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services is to ensure that all of Ontario's diverse communities are safe, supported and protected by law enforcement and that public safety and correctional systems are safe, secure, effective, efficient and accountable. The ministry has a wide range of responsibilities which include frontline policing, establishing and ensuring policing and private security standards and providing police oversight services, coordinating community safety initiatives, animal welfare, forensic and coroner's services, fire investigation/prevention, emergency planning and management; and, supervising and rehabilitating adult offenders in correctional institutions and probation and parole offices and providing Information Technology services.

Votes/Programs	Estimates 2008/09 $	Changes from Estimates 2007/08 $	%	Estimates 2007/08* $	Interim Actuals 2007/08 $	Actuals 2006/07* $
Operating & Capital
Ministry Administration Program Public Safety Division Ontario Provincial Police Correctional Service Program Justice Technology Services Program Agencies, Boards & Commissions Emergency Planning & Management Division Policy & Strategic Planning Division	153,313,800 189,090,700 870,699,800 766,296,100 64,746,900 4,977,000 70,180,200 3,862,700	19,021,000 13,164,600 80,180,000 59,942,200 1,934,800 (102,000) 12,866,900 405,900	13.9 7.5 10.1 8.5 3.1 (2.0) 22.5	137,292,800 175,926,100 790,519,800 706,353,900 62,812,100 5,079,000 57,313,300 3,456,800	138,193,700 173,552,200 844,435,000 711,554,100 64,940,100 4,327,500 62,308,000 8,763,400	119,961,090 154,404,118 809,059,004 668,255,199 59,027,409 3,828,257 59,827,552 2,883,284
Total Including Special Warrants	2,126,167,200	187,413,400	9.7	1,938,753,800	2,008,074,000	1,877,245,913
Less Special Warrants	-	(674,100,000)	(100.0)	674,100,000	-	-
Total Operating and Capital Expenses to be Voted	2,126,167,200	861,513,400	68.1	1,264,653,800	2,008,074,000	1,877,245,913
Special Warrants	-	(674,400,000)	(100.00)	674,400,000	-	-
Statutory Appropriations	133,187	1,647	1.3	131,540	11,061,940	12,373,696
Ministry Total Operating and Capital Expense	2,126,300,387	187,415,047	9.7	1,938,885,340	2,019,135,940	1,889,619,609
Consolidations	(15,874,500)	(3,220,100)	25.4	(12,654,400)	(14,433,700)	(13,118,712)
Total Including Consolidation	2,110,425,887	184,194,947	9.6	1,926,230,940	2,004,702,240	1,876,500,897
Assets
Ministry Administrative Program Public Safety Division Ontario Provincial Police Correctional Services Program Justice Technology Services Program Agencies, Boards and Commissions Emergency Planning and Management Division Policy and Strategic Planning Division	2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000	- - - - - - - -	- - - - - - - -	2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000 2,000	- - - - - - - -	- - - - - - - -
Total Including Special Warrants	16,000	-	-	2,000	-	-
Less: Special Warrants	-	(16,000)	(100.00)	-	-	-
Total Assets to be Voted	16,000	16,000	-	-	-	-
Special Warrants	-	16,000	100.00	16,000	-	-
Ministry Total Operating Assets	16,000	-	-	16,000	-	-

*2007/08 Estimates and 2006/07 actuals are re-stated to reflect any changes in ministry organization and/or program structure. Interim actuals reflect the numbers presented in the Ontario Budget.

For additional financial information, see:

Printed Estimates:

http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/estimates/2008-09/volume1/mcscs.html

Public Accounts:

http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/paccts

Budget:

http://www.fin.gov.on.ca/english/budget/ontariobudgets/2008

APPENDIX I: ANNUAL REPORT 2007-08

2007/08 Annual Report

Completed hiring 1,000 officers under the $37.1M Safer Communities 1,000 Officers Partnership Program

Of the 1,000 officers, 500 are dedicated to community policing while the other officers are deployed in priority areas including: youth crime, dangerous offenders, guns and gangs, organized crime (particularly marijuana grow-ops,) domestic violence and on-line crimes against children.

Approved 200 additional officers for the OPP

During the year, the OPP received funding approval to hire 200 officers and civilian staff. In 2007/08, 72 officers and seven civilian staff were hired. The remainder will be hired in 2008/09.
The new officers and staff will be assigned to enhance several priority initiatives, including organized crime, gun violence, Aboriginal policing programs, and traffic safety initiatives to target speeding, impaired and aggressive driving, and to increase rapid clearance of highways.

Expanded the province's capability to combat organized crime

The ministry supported a pilot project in Stratford that targets methamphetamine (crystal meth) production and distribution through enhanced enforcement, education awareness and treatment.
The Office of the Fire Marshal (OFM) received $1.3M in 2007/08 to establish a provincial advisory group on marijuana grow operations and to enhance the OFM's capacity to investigate fires of provincial interest.

Continued to support and expand anti-violence initiatives

In June 2007, the Premier announced an expansion of Toronto's successful anti-violence intervention strategy to large urban areas across the province to support police services.
50 of the 200 new OPP officers will be assigned to the Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit. The new officers will be deployed in Kingston, Ottawa, Windsor, London, Sudbury, and Thunder Bay.
Correctional Services has created a Security Threat Group Criminal Intelligence Unit. The new unit works closely with other law enforcement agencies to help identify, manage and monitor inmates who may pose a threat to the security of the institution, such as alleged gang members or terrorist suspects.

Invested in initiatives designed to combat hate crimes and extremism

The $855,000 Safer and Vital Communities Grant for 2007/08 has been dedicated to projects that focus on addressing hate crimes and racism.
The Hate Crime/Extremism Investigative Team has been given $200,000 to address hate motivated crimes and criminal extremism.
The ministry developed a brochure for police officers entitled: "Responding to Hate Crimes: An Ontario Police Officer's Guide to Investigation and Prevention".
The ministry also partnered with the Ontario Association of Crime Stoppers to produce a public awareness DVD "Hate Destroys Lives", which is being distributed to policing stakeholders.

Provided protection for children against internet sexual abuse and exploitation

The provincial strategy provides $5M over two years to fund municipal and regional police officers to battle Internet crimes against children.
Under the strategy, investigations are up by 41 per cent, arrests by 54 per cent and charges by 66 per cent over 2006/07.
To help educate children to protect themselves on the Internet, the OPP partnered with youth television channel YTV to develop an Internet safety game. More than 60,000 children played the game in the two months following its launch on the YTV website.

Improved officer safety through the introduction of more visible patrol vehicles

The OPP has introduced more than 500 of the new style black and white patrol cars to replace older cars. All of the new vehicles are equipped with red and blue light-emitting diode emergency lights, which add significantly to visibility and will improve officer and public safety.

Enhanced traffic safety on Ontario Roadways

The OPP has improved traffic safety in Ontario by laying more charges, cracking down on commercial motor vehicle violations and targeting extreme speeders through enforcement of the Safer Roads for a Safer Ontario Act, 2007.

Continued support for Aboriginal communities

Investments and resources continue to be committed to addressing recommendations made in the Ipperwash Inquiry report.
The OPP worked with many communities and organizations to support a peaceful National Day of Action in 2007 and continues to monitor activities at the Douglas Creek land claim site.

Enhanced emergency preparedness and response capabilities

Emergency Management Ontario (EMO) introduced a new Mobile Emergency Operations Centre that can be deployed quickly to support ministry and municipal response to disasters anywhere in the province.
EMO achieved 100 per cent ministry compliance for the under the Essential Level Emergency Management requirements of the Emergency Management & Civil Protection Act. As well, the organization helped municipalities achieve 98 per cent compliance under the Act.
The Joint Emergency Management Steering Committee has been expanded to include organizations representing all First Nations in Ontario with the objective of building local emergency management capabilities.

Continued to strengthen correctional programs and services

The government's commitment to hire 100 additional probation and parole officers has been fulfilled with the hiring of the final 20 new officers.
The ministry's operations centre for Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) checks has been expanded to allow it to respond to requests for criminal record checks from probation and parole offices as well as from institutions. Previously, probation and parole requests were handled by the OPP or local police services.
An information line, known as 211, has been established to make Correctional, community services and directory for other government related programs accessible to all ministry staff as well as stakeholders in the community.
A new computer-based application has been introduced to track an offender's involvement in correctional programming during both the institutional and community portions of his or her sentence. The new system allows staff to share information helps ensure continuity of programming for all offenders.
The Intermittent Community Work Program that allows qualified offenders to serve their intermittent sentences by providing services in the community is now fully implemented at correctional facilities in central, western and eastern regions.

Continued to support a wide range of initiatives that help keep Ontario's communities safe

The $4.5M Victim Safety Project is intended to improve services for victims of crime. The project also helps to prevent re-victimization by improving the tracking and monitoring of high-risk offenders and making sure victims are aware of impending releases.
The Office of the Fire Marshal released a new edition of the Ontario Fire Code. The new code, which replaces the 1997 edition, was developed to promote greater flexibility in compliance and more uniform enforcement. As well, the code includes over 200 technical changes resulting from public consultations.

Promoted healthier and more diverse ministry workplaces

In the 2007 Budget, the government committed $8M over two years to address long-standing systemic issues of racism and sexism and to promote healthier workplaces free from discrimination.
An Organizational Effectiveness Division, staffed with approximately 32 human rights and diversity experts, has been established to lead the ministry through significant organizational change.
The ministry has satisfied the majority of the Human Rights Tribunal Orders issued in relation to long-standing employee complaints and is aggressively pursuing remaining orders.

Improved provision for animal welfare

The ministry increased annual funding for the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) to $500,000 to support inspector and agent training. As well, the ministry provided $100,000 in one-time funding for OSPCA agents to work with the ministry of Natural Resources to implement an interim zoo inspection plan.
The ministry also provided the OSPCA with a new one-time capital grant of $5 million to allow the organization to upgrade its facilities and computer systems and to improve its services in northern communities.

LEGISLATION

Introduced legislation to strengthen the Ontario Sex Offender Registry

If passed, the new legislation would ensure that more sex offenders are registered. The new legislation would strengthen the registration requirements to include offenders serving intermittent sentences, offenders released on unescorted temporary absence passes and persons deemed not criminally responsible upon their release from a mental health facility.

Proclaimed a new law that sets stricter standards for the private security industry

The Private Security and Investigative Services Act includes new and stricter standards to better protect the public while improving professionalism within the industry. The act applies to security personnel and investigators and in-house security staff, such as those who work for retailers and at bars.

Proclaimed legislation to better protect emergency workers from the risks of being exposed to blood-borne illnesses on the job

The Mandatory Blood Testing Act streamlines and shortens the process of ordering a blood sample from somebody who may have exposed an emergency worker or first responder to certain blood-bourne communicable diseases. The act reduces the time allowed to voluntarily provide a sample from seven days to two days and reduces the time it takes to obtain a mandatory blood sample from more than two months to less than three weeks.