As the Manitoba government doubles its investment in electronic monitoring for offenders, Portage la Prairie MLA Jeff Bereza isn’t convinced the move will fix the province’s crime problem.
The province announced a $1.2 million boost to its ankle monitoring program, adding up to 100 more GPS-enabled devices for tracking people released on bail. But Bereza says the tool doesn’t address the root issue: repeat offenders being granted bail with few consequences.
“Ankle bracelets are part of the solution,” notes Bereza. “But again, to think that they're going to be the be-all fix-all, we're dreaming.”
Focus should be on accountability, not gadgets
Bereza says offenders are too often allowed back onto the streets, where they continue to commit crimes. He points to a March 8, 2025 case in Winnipeg as an example, involving an individual charged with multiple offences who was not wearing an ankle monitor at the time.
“We have the ability right here, right now to be doing something with it,” adds Bereza. “Ankle bracelets are not going to stop that.”
He stresses that the system fails to hold individuals accountable, and the reliance on ankle monitors is not enough to keep communities safe.
“Criminals know that they're going to be granted bail,” he says. “They're going to be able to go out and commit the same crime. It puts extra pressure on the police.”
Province says monitors are part of broader safety plan
Justice Minister Matt Wiebe says the expansion is aimed at improving public safety and cracking down on repeat offenders.
The added funding brings the total annual commitment to $2.7 million, with all 100 current devices already in use and tracking 321 participants as of July 10.
The program was reinstated in August 2024 after being cut by the previous PC government. It currently operates in communities including Portage la Prairie, Brandon, Winnipeg, Steinbach, Souris, Dauphin, Selkirk and Winkler.
Mayor Knox welcomes expansion
Portage la Prairie Mayor Sharilyn Knox calls the province’s decision a positive step.
“We are very glad to see the province expanding the ankle monitoring program,” she says. “It’s definitely a step in the right direction when it comes to keeping our communities safe and especially holding those repeat offenders accountable here in Portage.”
Knox notes that the program supports local safety efforts such as Portage’s Community Safety Officer program.
“It’s definitely encouraging to see the province stepping up with added tools that support that work,” she adds.
Local safety efforts still matter
Bereza points to the Community Safety Officer program as a good example of local crime prevention but says even the best community-level initiatives can’t fully succeed without stronger accountability.
“They can't stop the big issue of these people that are committing the crimes not having to do the time for the crimes that they are committing,” remarks Bereza.
The province also plans to roll out new curfew monitoring tools using secure video and biometric ID technology, aiming to reduce the burden on police doing in-person checks. But Bereza says these types of tools can only go so far.
“If we don't have people to enforce the people that are wearing the ankle monitors or that are out on bail, then it is,” he mentions, “just like fighting a bear with a collar on.”
The province has not said which communities will receive the new monitors.
- with files by Mike Blume
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