NDP MHA Sheilagh O’Leary (St. John’s East-Quidi Vidi) raised the issue of ankle monitoring for individuals out on bail for Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) offenses, pressing the Minister on a timeline for implementation. She also presented a petition signed by over 1,400 people calling for the urgent adoption of this measure.
Ankle monitoring for IPV cases is already used successfully across Canada to prevent re-offense, intimidation, and coercive control. The former Liberal government had begun work on this policy and had indicated it would be rolled out in 2024, but that never happened. O’Leary noted that implementing ankle monitoring was also a commitment of the new PC government and pressed for a clear timeline.
“Speaker, in a pre-election questionnaire sent to those running for premier by Act Now, Premier Wakeham promised to implement an ankle monitoring program for those on bail for Intimate Partner Violence within two years of being elected,” O’Leary said in the House of Assembly. “We know the work has been done on this, so I ask the Minister, when will we see ankle monitoring brought into this province?”
O’Leary also presented a petition on the ankle monitoring program that has more than 1400 signatures from across the island. With more signatures coming in, including from Labrador, O’Leary says it’s clear that survivors and advocates need this to be a priority for this government – especially one that puts an emphasis on safer communities.
“Those accused of violent IPV crimes are often released on bail with minimal conditions, only to re-offend under the same terms,” says O’Leary. “Quebec saw a 96% deterrence rate over three years using real-time ankle monitoring for IPV cases, and PEI has had just one serious breach since 2015, with no IPV-related homicides.”
“We know this program works elsewhere. The government has called Intimate Partner Violence an epidemic – a welcome first step – but words must be followed by action. Implementing ankle monitoring would be a critical step for survivors, their families, and our communities.”