Kingston News, November 10, 2016

Prison-Farms

An online survey conducted by the Correctional Service shows strong support for reopening Kingston’s two prison farms.  Corrections says results suggest wide-spread recognition of the perceived value of institutional agribusiness.  The survey was part of a public consultation process that included a town hall meeting hosted by Kingston and the Islands MP Mark Gerretsen and Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale.  300 people attended that meeting and all supported the re-establishment of the farms.

Goodale promised to make a decision following the consultation process but there is no word on when that decision will be made by the federal government.

The Harper government closed all six farms at Canadian prisons in 2010.

The closure of the farms at Joyceville and Collins Bay Institutions was met with strong opposition and protesters were arrested when the cows were removed from Collins Bay.

Paterson – Bridge Funding

Kingston Mayor Bryan Paterson is continuing to lobby the provincial and federal governments for funding of the bridge over the Cataraqui River.  Paterson says it’s important to have funding options available if city council approves the third crossing.  A business case and preliminary design of the bridge will be presented to city council before it makes the final decision on the bridge sometime in the new year.  The city missed out on federal infrastructure funding controlled by the province earlier this year.  A new round of funding is coming in the spring.  Paterson was in Toronto on Tuesday to continue his lobbying efforts.

Police Officer Retires

One of Kingston’s longest serving police officers is retiring.

Inspector Brian Cookman will spend his last day on the job tomorrow.  He’ll lay a wreath at the Cross of Sacrifice during Kingston’s Remembrance Day ceremony.  Cookman was born and raised in Kingston and started his career with Kingston Police in 1980.