Manitoba Government Expands Electronic Monitoring Program to Rural Communities

November 29, 2024

SELKIRK—The Manitoba government is expanding the electronic monitoring program to rural communities across Manitoba along with widening eligibility criteria to support survivors of intimate partner violence, Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced here today.

“After a successful August launch of electronic monitoring in Winnipeg, our government is moving forward to expand the program to rural communities as part of our Public Safety Strategy as we know crime is impacting families across Manitoba,” said Wiebe. “We’re also moving to ensuring women, girls and gender-diverse people throughout the province are better protected from their abusers by expanding the monitoring program to include cases of intimate partner violence. This tool will help support survivors, build safer communities and help prevent future crime.”

The electronic monitoring program provides a reliable and secure system to track and manage offenders through an ankle monitor that utilizes global positioning system (GPS) technology, noted the minister. The program will support survivors of intimate partner violence by notifying them when their alleged abuser breaches their conditions. This measure is designed to improve safety and provide timely information to survivors.

“The Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters Inc. acknowledges the important strides made by the Manitoba government in advancing the safety of women and those affected by family violence, and the introduction of the electronic monitoring program marks a significant step in addressing the escalation in the levels of violence we are seeing across Manitoba,” said Tsungai (Sue) Muvingi, provincial co-ordinator, Manitoba Association of Shelter Workers. “These initiatives offer women greater agency in safeguarding their well-being, while ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable. By combining technology with proactive enforcement, we take a step toward building a society where women can live without fear and where the justice system upholds their fundamental right to safety and dignity.”

Initially launched in August in Winnipeg, the expansion of the electronic monitoring program includes the following areas and their respective communities: Steinbach area (Sprague and Steinbach), Selkirk area (Grand Marais, Red River North and Selkirk), Pembina Valley (Carman, Winkler, Manitou and Morden), Central Plains (Amaranth, Portage la Prairie and Treherne), Blue Hills (Brandon, Carberry and Souris), Westman (Melita, Reston and Virden) and Parkland (Dauphin and Ste. Rose du Lac).

“Enhancing the security of communities throughout the province is a priority for the Manitoba RCMP and we appreciate all new technologies that help to support and achieve that goal,” said Chief Supt. Gord Corbett, criminal operations officer, Manitoba RCMP. “The electronic monitoring of those who are on release conditions is one more important tool that supports our mandate and helps keep Manitobans safe.”

The GPS technology on the ankle monitoring devices allows for detailed supervision of an individual’s court-ordered conditions, which could include orders to stay away from particular locations such as retail stores. The devices use voice, audio and vibration commands, allowing for real-time communication with offenders and if necessary, loud alerts. In addition, the platform provides 24-7 monitoring and includes the ability to notify law enforcement of an individual’s location in real time.

“The expansion of electronic monitoring into rural communities like Selkirk is a significant step towards enhancing community safety,” said Mayor Larry Johannson, City of Selkirk. “The City of Selkirk is working hard to building a safe and welcoming community and this initiative is a clear sign that the province is just as committed to fostering a safe, thriving Selkirk as we are.”

The Manitoba government has allocated $2.9 million over two years for the program. If successful, the province has the option to continue the program to assist in their ongoing efforts to combat crime and keep communities safe, the minister noted.

Earlier in November, the Manitoba government released the Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy that included a commitment to expand the electronic monitoring program outside of Winnipeg to rural municipalities and support survivors of intimate partner violence with a notification when an alleged abuser breaches their conditions. The minister noted the province will continue to work with stakeholders, regional and rural municipalities to create a safer Manitoba.

The Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy can be viewed at: https://gov.mb.ca/justice/pubs/publicsafety_strategy.pdf.

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For more information:

• Public information, contact Manitoba Government Inquiry: 1-866-626-4862 or 204-945-3744.
• Media requests for general information, contact Communications and Engagement: newsroom@gov.mb.ca.
• Media requests for ministerial comment, contact Cabinet Communications: cabcom@manitoba.ca.

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