Ontario Correctional Services Partners With MTC of Utah

On May 5, 2001, the Ministry of Correctional Services of Ontario announced a public-private partnership agreement with Management & Training Corp. (MTC) of Utah providing for the operation and maintenance of the Central North Correctional Centre in Penetanguishene, Ontario, one of two new ultra-modern 1,184 bed correctional institutions being constructed by the Government of Ontario. The private-sector contractor was selected following a competitive selection process, including request for qualifications and request for proposals phases. The government will own the land and buildings and the Ministry will have on-site contract compliance monitors present at the correctional institution to monitor the private-sector contractor’s compliance with the agreement. The contractor will employ the correctional staff, who must meet the Ministry’s training standards, and will maintain the building, provide rehabilitation programs and arrange for a correctional industries program. The total contract value is approximately $170 million over the five-year term of the agreement.

The Ministry of Correctional Services was advised by Ken Hogg, Legal Counsel with the Ministry of the Attorney General. Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP’s Toronto office acted as outside counsel. The lawyers involved were David Doubilet, Tom Barlow and Peter Leonard (public-private partnerships), Brian O’Byrne, David Corbett and Patrick Gannon (labour), Bruce Salvatore (real property), Ian Kyer (information technology) and Donald Milner (creditors’ rights).