June 10, 2010 - I am pleased to announce that there are plans to build a 160 bed expansion at the Milner Ridge Correctional Centre in addition to the 64 bed expansion that has already begun. Construction on the new 160 bed expansion will commence in Spring next year and completion is expected by the Fall of 2012. The project will be open for tender this Fall. Even though the expansion reflects a demand for increased capacity to the province’s correctional system, it will create much needed employment opportunities for Eastern Manitoba.

As your MLA, I recognize that residents in our communities want to live here, work here, and raise their families here. Many people have had to leave our community against their wishes to find suitable employment elsewhere in order to provide for their families. Continued expansion at Milner Ridge Correctional Institute will create much needed and well paying employment opportunities that will allow our residents to stay in our communities. Our communities will grow and prosper. When people have to leave their communities to find employment, our small businesses suffer and this results in less services in our communities.

I encourage those that are seeking employment to watch for ads in your local newspapers, apply at the 11th floor of the Woodsworth Building in Winnipeg, or go to the Province of Manitoba website, the Justice Department of the Civil Service Commission for more information on these employment opportunities

I fully support the expansion of Milner Ridge Correctional Institute. I have been working very hard to ensure the Government recognizes the need to create employment opportunities in Eastern Manitoba. The expansion at Milner Ridge is a start, we have a long way to go and I will continue to pressure the Government to make it happen, and sooner rather than later!