A new $66-million correctional facility in Minto will be going ahead as planned.
Premier Susan Holt made the announcement in a social media post on Wednesday night.
“I’m happy to share that, after careful consideration, our government has made the decision to proceed with the Central NB Correctional Centre in Minto,” Holt said in the post.
The project was announced by the Progressive Conservative government in 2023.
But the new Liberal government said last week that the planned jail was under review.
That sparked concern in the rural Grand Lake community and accusations that politics were at play.
“I want to apologize to the community of Grand Lake for the fear and disruption we have caused.”
Holt said her government understands that correctional institutions across the province are at capacity, and overcrowding is causing safety concerns for everyone in those centres.
The government looked at “all the information, background, and justification for this centre” as part of their review, she said.
The premier added she has expressed her government’s concern with local leaders about ensuring the correctional centre is fully staffed when it is ready to open.
“They are eager to help recruit people and encourage them to take the NBCC training programs,” said Holt.
Local MLA Kris Austin, who was public safety minister when the project was approved, welcomed the news in a social media post of his own.
Austin has maintained that New Brunswick’s jails are overcrowded and a new correctional facility is needed.
“A lot of work has already been done to bring it to Grand Lake and I’m thrilled it will continue,” said Austin.
The Progressive Conservative government had initially planned to build the new facility in Fredericton’s Vanier Industrial Park.
However, it later decided against that location after concerns were by nearby residents. Two months later, it announced that the jail would be built in Minto.
Nine communities expressed an interest and five submitted applications to be the site, according to a government release at the time.
