To the legislative assembly of Ontario: WHEREAS the Ontario provincial government has unilaterally ordered the closing of the Owen Sound and Walkerton Jails with no public input. WHEREAS staff of both facilities will be forced to relocate from their home communities and the 2 rural municipalities will lose up to three million dollars in wages spent there. WHEREAS the local aboriginal offenders will be forced away from their communities and local native resources. All offenders will be moved out of their localities, rehabilitative resources and family visitation. Intermittent sentenced offenders will have jobs placed in jeopardy as the travel to Penetanguishene will be too great. WHEREAS rural communities hard hit by recession and manufacturing job loss need these well paying jobs in their community. WE the undersigned, petition the legislative assembly of Ontario as follows: That Premier McGuinty support the Owen Sound and Walkerton Jails remain open until such time as a new regional correctional facility can be opened.