Premier Wab Kinew says expanding the province's Electronic Monitoring Program into rural Manitoba is just another aspect of his government's comprehensive approach to public safety.
Initially launched in August in Winnipeg, the program has been extended to some rural communities, including
Steinbach and Sprague.
He explained, the decision was based, in part, by what the National Police Federation relayed to his government while collaboratively working the Province's bail reform plan.
"This is the group that represents the RCMP members who provide policing in so many of our communities and they're saying, as part of bail reform, having more monitoring technology like this is a more effective way for them to keep tabs on people and keep the community safe."
Not only was the program expanded to include a larger swath of the province, but the eligibility requirements were also widened to support survivors of intimate partner violence by notifying them when their alleged abuser breaches their conditions.
"You can see timely information about that other person to keep you safe," said Kinew.
As part of that monitoring, the Premier says the Province will be providing cellphones to survivors who don't have them.
The Manitoba government has allocated $2.9 million over two years for the program. If successful, the province has the option to continue it to assist in the ongoing efforts to combat crime and keep communities safe.