MPP LAURIE SCOTT DEMANDS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL REASSURE ONTARIAN WOMEN OF THEIR SAFETY

QUEEN’S PARK – During Question Period today, Ontario PC Critic for Women’s Issues Laurie Scott (MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock) stood in the legislature and held the Attorney General to account for the senseless violence that struck Ottawa Valley last week.

“It is disheartening that the government has not addressed the gaps in the justice system,” said Scott. “Could this not have been prevented, especially with regard to offenders with a long history of violence?”

Basil Borutski faces three counts of first-degree murder in connection with the deaths of Anastasia Kuzyk, Nathalie Warmerdam, and Carol Culleton.

Borutski, 57, has a long record for assault and harassment. In particular, before Borutski was released from a 19-month prison sentence for assaulting Kuzyk, he refused to sign a probation obligation to keep his distance from Kuzyk.

In Renfrew County, there is only a single probation officer who conducts visits once a week. MPP Scott expressed her concerns with how such a vital service can be underfunded.

“How many people refuse to sign their probation orders?” asked Scott. “How can the Attorney General assure Ontarians that offenders, especially those with a history of violence will be more closely supervised?”

For individuals such as Borutski, who have a record of violence, MPP Scott believes that this should have raised a red flag in regards to more diligent monitoring after an offender is released.