By Tess Hotchkiss
The Ottawa District Parole office has yet to pinpoint a new location away from the neighbouring Elgin Street Public School, and that has some parents concerned that it might not move.
Local activist and parent Albert Galpin says he believes the parole office has no intention of moving at the end of its lease in 2009.
Galpin says even though the decision to move the parole office was made last year, he is concerned no plans for the relocation have been disclosed.
“They are dragging their feet in hopes of an election so they can drag this out to infinity.”
Ana Paquete, director of the Ottawa Parole office, says the office has every intention of leaving. “Last year, we had run out of office space so we decided not to continue our five-year lease.”
As moving day approaches, she does not know where the office will be located because it’s up to Public Works and Government Services Canada.
“The usual process for this is two years and we initiated the process back in June,” says Paquete.
Melanie Carkner, media relations spokesperson for Correctional Services Canada, says she also does not know the new location for the parole office. Carkner refused to comment further.
David Blaine, president of the Centretown Citizens’ Community Association (CCCA), says he does not think the parole office will announce a new location for some time.
“The government does not work very quickly and some of these decisions are beyond correctional services’ control and in the hands of public works.”.
In spite of this, Blaine says he feels confident the parole office will keep the community updated on the location.
“We had a good meeting this summer with Ana Paquete and we feel the door is open to us anytime,” says Blaine. “By the time the lease is up they should know where they are going.”
Blaine says it is important for the public to know the new location of the parole office to ensure the safety of the community.
Published on the CCCA website is a letter addressed to Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day. In the letter, Blaine specifies that a copy of correctional services’ guidelines for zoning and relocating sent to the CCCA is largely blacked out.
“We believe we have a reasonable right to understand fully the intent of the department and guidelines,” Blaine wrote in the letter.
Last year, in a letter to the CCCA, Day promised the office would be moved by the end of their lease in September 2009.
However, Galpin says the move is not soon enough. He is concerned about the safety of his two children who attend the public school located within 100 metres of the parole office.
“We don’t let them walk to school alone anymore and it’s
really a shame”.
Galpin says he and other parents have been demanding that the parole office be moved since the beginning of its lease in 2004.
But Bruce Hubbard, principal of Elgin Street Public School, said he is not threatened by the parole office. “They are our neighbours and I always love to treat neighbours honestly, openly and respectfully,” said Hubbard.
Ottawa District School Board trustee Jennifer McKenzie says she supports the parents and concerned citizens.
McKenzie says even though no children have been harmed, she wants the parole office to move.
“The sooner they leave the better.”