Experts From Across Canada Develop Best Practices For Investigating And Prosecuting Mega Trials

TORONTO, Nov. 14 /CNW/ - Members of Ontario\'s Guns and Gangs Task Force and other organized crime experts came together at a groundbreaking conference to share strategies and tactics for investigating and prosecuting large-scale mega trials, Attorney General Michael Bryant announced today.

"Ontario is leading the way on this front," said Bryant. "As part of our government\'s fight against guns and gangs and all types of violence, we are ensuring our Crown prosecutors are equipped with the most current and cutting-edge information so that they can best prosecute these mega trials."

The conference, opened by the Attorney General, was held over five days last week in Toronto, and was the first of its kind in Canada. Speakers from the Toronto Police Service, the Ontario Provincial Police, the Federal Prosecution Service, the Centre of Forensic Sciences, as well as experts in
search and seizure, proceeds of crime, organized crime and firearms and explosives, shared their knowledge and strategies for successfully prosecuting large-scale mega trials.

"While Crowns continually update their prosecutorial skills, this is the first time very important issues like firearms, proceeds of crime, wiretap evidence and bail have been presented completely in the context of gang and large-scale prosecutions," said Bryant. "These mega trials are relatively new and they require a new approach. For example, our Crowns learned how to use
the latest technology to effectively present the kinds of unique and complex evidence these cases involve."

The McGuinty government is committed to fighting gun crime. That is why it is implementing a $51-million package of initiatives, including:

    -   Expanding the number of Crown prosecutors working on the Guns and
        Gangs Task Force. Currently, 56 Crown prosecutors have been assigned
        to this task force, and more will be in position by late fall. When
        fully staffed, the task force will have 64 Crowns, including
        dedicated prosecutors working in every region of the province.
    -   Establishing a state-of-the-art provincial operations centre to allow
        for highly co-ordinated investigations and prosecutions of gun and
        gang-related offences. Scheduled to open in January 2007, it will be
        located at an undisclosed location in the Greater Toronto Area. When
        open, the centre will house the Guns and Gangs Task Force, which
        includes the Toronto Police Service, Ontario Provincial Police, a
        team of specialized Crown prosecutors, support staff, probation and
        parole officers and a victims unit.
    -   Fast-tracking the hiring of 1,000 additional police officers.
        Currently, about 800 additional officers are or will soon be on the
        street. The McGuinty government has provided the funding to allow
        police services to hire the remaining 200 officers by the end of the
        year.
    -   Constructing specialized, high-security major crime courts to
        accommodate large-scale, gun and gang prosecutions. The first of
        these courts, at 361 University Avenue in Toronto, will be open this
        fall. Another, at 2201 Finch Avenue West in Toronto, is expected to
        open next year.

"In Ontario, organized crime of all types is meeting organized justice," said Bryant. "We now have a crime-fighting operation in place like never before. I am confident that the positive effects of innovative initiatives like this mega trial conference will be felt across the province for some time
to come."

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Backgrounder
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ONTARIO\'S ANTI-GUN STRATEGY GIVES POLICE AND PROSECUTORS THE TOOLS THEY NEED

The McGuinty government is on the side of Ontarians who are concerned about crime and safety. That is why it is doing everything in its power to get guns off our streets and make our communities safer. Fighting gun violence requires being tough on crime, using strong enforcement and effective
prevention, and taking aim at the causes of crime. Ontario is creating healthy neighbourhoods by targeting investments in better housing, safe schools, after-school activities, and programs for under-served youths and adults. As part of its anti-gun strategy, the Ontario government will continue to work with all levels of government and members of the community to find legislative
changes and community-based initiatives to help end gun violence.

BEING TOUGH ON CRIME

    -   Provincial Operations Centre - The government is establishing a
        state-of-the-art operations centre that will better allow for highly
        co-ordinated investigations and prosecutions of guns and gang-related
        offences. It was announced by the Premier in January 2006 as part of
        a $51 million package of guns and gangs-related initiatives. The
        centre participants will include the newly expanded Guns and Gangs
        Task Force, Ontario Provincial Police, and probation and parole
        staff. Federal participation in the operations centre is being
        discussed. Construction has begun. It is anticipated that the centre
        will be fully operational by January 2007.

    -   Expanded Guns and Gangs Task Force - The task force includes police
        officers, Crown prosecutors and staff from the Victim/Witness
        Assistance Program who work together from the first day of an
        investigation. The Crown prosecutors provide early legal advice to
        police, especially on search warrants or other issues arising in an
        investigation. They also, where appropriate, get legal authorization
        for the police to conduct wiretaps. After charges are laid by police,
        Crown prosecutors prepare and conduct the prosecutions. The McGuinty
        government has expanded the task force twice since October 2005 for a
        total of 64 Crown prosecutors and their support staff, and 12
        victim/witness service staff. To date, most (56) of the Crown
        prosecutors have been assigned. The remaining Crown prosecutors will
        be in position by late fall. In addition, Ontario and federal
        officials will continue discussions with a view to creating teams of
        dedicated provincial and federal prosecutors working together to take
        action on gun and related drug crimes.

    -   Expanded Provincial Weapons Enforcement Unit (PWEU) - In January
        2006, the McGuinty government announced that an additional 15 OPP
        officers would be assigned to the PWEU. They have been recruited, for
        a total of 58 officers in the unit.

    -   Funding for Policing in High-Priority Areas - The government has
        provided the Toronto Police Service with $5 million in funding to
        strengthen its offensive against gangs in high-priority areas of the
        city. This effort includes the establishment of three rapid response
        teams each consisting of 18 highly trained police officers,
        specializing in drugs and guns interdiction to work on the Toronto
        Anti-Violence Intervention Strategy. To date, police have seen
        tremendous results including more than 4,948 arrests, the seizure of
        more than 299 guns from the streets and establishing more than 33,016
        business and community contacts. This funding also included
        $2 million for the installation of security cameras at targeted
        locations, as well as the expansion of the capacity of the police to
        obtain wiretap and search warrants.

    -   Major Crime Courts - The province is establishing Major Crime Courts
        designed to increase the criminal justice system\'s capacity to
        respond to large-scale prosecutions. The first major crime courtroom,
        located at 361 University Avenue in Toronto, will be ready this fall.
        The second, located at 2201 Finch Avenue West in Toronto, is expected
        to be ready by fall 2007. The courts will be equipped with higher
        levels of security and be capable of dealing with multiple
        defendants. Three new judges have been appointed to deal with the
        anticipated increase in the volume of work.

    -   1,000 Additional Police Officers - Under the Safer Communities -
        1,000 Officers Partnership program, about 800 officers, including 250
        in Toronto, are or soon will be on duty. The McGuinty government has
        provided funding to allow police services to recruit and train the
        remaining 200 officers by the end of the year, if they choose to do
        so.

    -   Additional Probation and Parole Officers - The government is hiring
        12 new probation and parole officers to conduct risk assessments on
        individuals accused of offences related to guns and gangs. Three
        support staff have also been hired.

    -   The Centre of Forensic Sciences - The government has increased
        funding to the centre to expand its capacity to perform ballistic
        testing and forensic analysis.

    -   Bail Blitz Teams - The province has established bail blitz teams,
        which consist of police, Crown prosecutors and duty counsel working
        together to expedite the bail court process at certain sites for
        criminal cases, including those involving guns. Teams are working at
        College Park Courthouse in Toronto and at the Ottawa Courthouse.

    -   Calling on Federal Government - The Ontario government led the fight
        for mandatory minimum sentences when it comes to gun crimes. The
        federal government has recognized the need to change sentences.
        Proposed federal legislation would also create two new Criminal Code
        gun theft offenses - "robbery with intent to steal a gun" and
        "breaking and entering with intent to steal a gun".

We continue to call on the federal government to move as quickly as possible to amend the Criminal Code to:

        -  impose reverse onus bail for all gun crimes
        -  implement a handgun ban
        -  set more severe penalties for breach of bail conditions.

    -   No Deals for Gun Offenders - Ontario Crown prosecutors are instructed
        not to withdraw or plea-bargain firearms-related offences unless
        there are exceptional circumstances. The Crown must also seek
        appropriate sentences that will act as a deterrent and, in
        appropriate cases, consider seeking sentences higher than the
        mandatory minimum.

    -   Gun Amnesty - The Project PEACE gun amnesty was implemented by the
        Toronto Police Service and supported by the Ministry of the Attorney
        General from November 7-30, 2005. A total of 261 guns, including 33
        handguns, and 1,554 rounds of ammunition were collected.

    -   "Blitz" Inspections of Gun-Licensed Businesses in Toronto - The
        government funded a blitz inspection of 32 gun-licensed businesses in
        Toronto in September 2005, to ensure gun storage and safekeeping
        standards were being met. The Chief Firearms Office is now
        incorporating unannounced inspections of gun-licensed businesses
        across the province into its regular procedures. Previously, most
        inspections were scheduled in advance.

    -   Ontario\'s Witness Protection Program - The program has been improved
        to encourage more community members to come forward when they have
        witnessed a serious crime. The Ministry of the Attorney General has
        improved short-term protection, and reduced the red tape involved in
        obtaining admission to the program and receiving a new identity.
        The Attorney General will continue to work with his federal
        counterpart to improve the federal witness protection plan so that it
        can work in a coordinated manner with Ontario\'s program.

    -   Community Impact Evidence - The Ministry of the Attorney General is
        implementing new and innovative ways for Crown prosecutors to seek
        tougher sentences by developing and presenting evidence to the court
        about the devastating impact of gun violence on individuals and
        communities.

BEING TOUGH ON THE CAUSES OF CRIME

    -   Youth Opportunity Strategy - The government is investing
        $28.5 million over the first three years of the strategy to improve
        outcomes for youth in under-served communities, beginning primarily
        with neighbourhoods in Toronto. Next year, the strategy will be
        expanded to additional communities across the province, including
        Windsor, Ottawa, London, Hamilton and Thunder Bay.

The strategy includes the following five components:

              -  Summer Jobs For Youth Program - In 2006, this program
                 provided summer jobs for 800 youth from under-served
                 communities in Toronto. The program includes pre-employment
                 readiness, employment placements and post-employment
                 supports in a variety of fields including business,
                 recreation and youth leadership. In summer 2007, the program
                 will be expanded to 1,650 youth from under-served
                 communities across the province.
              -  Youth Outreach Worker Program - This program employs 39
                 youth outreach workers (35 in Toronto and four in Durham
                 Region) to serve as mentors and advocates for youth from
                 under-served communities. In 2007, an additional 23 outreach
                 workers will be hired to work in under-served communities
                 across the province, bringing the total to 62 outreach
                 workers in Ontario.
              -  Youth in Policing Initiative - In summer 2006, 100 youth
                 from under-served communities in Toronto worked with the
                 Toronto Police Service in a range of areas to develop skills
                 relevant to a possible future career in policing. Five
                 additional youth worked with the Durham Regional Police in a
                 similar program. In summer 2007, the initiative will be
                 expanded, enabling at least 60 more youth to work with other
                 police service organizations across the province.
              -  YouthConnect.ca - The government\'s new website,
                 YouthConnect.ca, provides a forum for young people to access
                 information, services and resources that will help them make
                 good choices, achieve success and contribute positively to
                 their communities.
              -  School-Based Prevention/Diversion Program - This program is
                 a partnership among schools, school boards, community-based
                 agencies and police that helps high school students under 18
                 years of age, who are at risk of becoming involved or are
                 already involved in violent and/or offending activity,
                 increase their chances of school success. Trained peer
                 mediators and school and community staff work together with
                 students to address issues leading to offending behaviour,
                 develop new skills, increase school attachment and take on
                 leadership roles. The program is being delivered in 12
                 communities across the province in 2006-07. In 2007-08, the
                 program will be offered in six additional communities
                 bringing the total to 18 communities.

    -   Down with Guns Program - The government is directing $3 million to a
        community-designed initiative that is to be led by the Toronto
        Community Foundation in partnership with the Coalition of Christian
        Leaders. The strategy has four goals: to strengthen families, focus
        on education, create employment options and opportunity, and
        encourage youth to know their civic rights and responsibilities.

    -   Youth Challenge Fund - A $15 million challenge fund will sponsor
        local programs, training and jobs for under-served youth. Chaired by
        Toronto Argonauts Head Coach Mike "Pinball" Clemons, the fund will
        target 13 under-served Toronto neighbourhoods. It supports ideas for
        communities that come directly from people living in the
        neighbourhoods. Community members and organizations are able to apply
        to the fund to cover the costs of new or existing local programs to
        help keep kids off the streets. The Premier challenged the private
        sector and private contributors to match the government\'s $15 million
        investment. The government will then match private sector
        contributions up to an additional $15 million, for a potential total
        investment of more than $45 million over the next three years.

    -   Youth Justice Committees - The Youth Justice Committee program, an
        alternative to the formal court process that holds low-risk young
        offenders accountable and addresses issues that may lead to re-
        offending, is being expanded to a total of 46 communities across the
        province.

    -   Youth Intervention Centres -Since April 2006, the government has
        established an additional 14 youth intervention centres for a total
        of 29 across the province. The centres provide structured and closely
        supervised programs where youth in conflict with the law accept
        responsibility for their actions, and develop anger management,
        learning, employment and other life skills to help re-integrate them
        into their communities.

    -   African Canadian Youth Justice Program - In May 2006, the Ontario
        government, in partnership with the African Canadian Legal Clinic
        (ACLC), launched an innovative new program to help youth, aged 12 to
        17, achieve better outcomes through appropriate community-based,
        culturally-sensitive services and referrals. Operating out of four
        Toronto-area youth court locations, the program offers both court
        workers and reintegration social workers to assist youth in accessing
        community supports and resources, including counselling and
        mentorship opportunities.

    -   Community Use of Schools - The province has invested $20 million
        annually for the past 3 years in the Community Use of Schools
        program. The program encourages increased use of schools by not-for-
        profit groups at reduced rates during non-school hours to promote
        participation in a range of community activities such as
        recreation and physical activity programs.

    -   Safe Schools Action Team - The McGuinty government has appointed a
        special Safe Schools Action Team to advise on the development of a
        comprehensive and coordinated approach to address physical and social
        safety issues in all Ontario schools. The government\'s Safe Schools
        Strategy includes provincewide school safety audits, bullying-
        prevention training for principals, tools such as school climate
        surveys and a review of the Safe Schools Act. Funding has been
        provided to school boards for new security devices and bullying
        prevention programs ($1,500 per elementary school and $2,000 per
        secondary school, totalling, $7.83 million).

    -   Kids Help Phone - The government entered into a three year,
        $3- million partnership with Kids Help Phone. This will double the
        helpline\'s capacity to provide anonymous counselling to students in
        Ontario who are dealing with bullying issues. This is expected to
        benefit 30,000 more students each year. Kids Help Phone is Canada\'s
        only 24-hour, seven-day-a-week toll-free, anonymous referral and
        information service. Services are available to children and youth in
        English and French by calling the toll free phone number or through
        online web counselling. Information materials, including posters and
        wallet cards to inform students about the Kids Help Phone have been
        provided to school boards.

    -   Leave Out ViolencE (LOVE) - A special project grant was provided to
        LOVE to provide outreach and support to school children and youth in
        high-risk neighbourhoods. Youth leaders are being trained to become
        peer mentors and will conduct presentations in schools to help
        empower youth and children to take a stand against the violence that
        has penetrated their communities and prevent re-victimization.

    -   Learning to 18 - To improve students\' achievement in high school
        increase graduation rates and dramatically reduce the unacceptably
        high dropout rate, the government launched the $1.3 billion Student
        Success Strategy. It includes: the introduction of legislation that
        would, if passed, ensure that students keep learning to age 18 or
        graduation; new Specialist High-Skills Majors within the high school
        diploma; opportunities for students to earn dual credits through
        college, apprenticeship and postsecondary courses that count toward
        the high school diploma; and expanded cooperative education choices.
        As a part of the strategy, students are benefiting from additional
        teachers dedicated to student success in every secondary school,
        innovative lighthouse programs, class-size limits in key courses and
        upgraded technological education equipment.

    -   Apprenticeship Training - $1 million fund created for Pre-
        Apprenticeship Training Programs, approximately 100 at-risk youth
        have been learning practical skills to help them become eligible for
        apprenticeship programs in the skilled trades.


Disponible en français

www.attorneygeneral.jus.gov.on.ca

For further information: Greg Crone, Ministry of the Attorney General Minister\'s Office, (416) 326-1785; Brendan Crawley, Ministry of the Attorney General, Communications Branch, (416) 326-2210