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- EDITORIAL - 6 OPINION Act can't be allowed to die A few years ago, a stunning Toronto Star investiga­ tion revealed that tens of thousands of Canadians have police records, despite never having committed a crime. Cases in which people were found innocent, charges were withdrawn, mental health incidents, even baseless accusations, remained in police records. Queen's Park took action in 2015, but apparently, little has changed. Statistics from the John Howard Society show that charges were stayed or withdrawn in 51,000 cases in Ontario in 2016. These records remain in databases, to be used at the discretion of police. Three years ago, the provincial government passed legislation, the Police Records Check Reform Act, by a 93-0 vote, to stop this practice. But the Kathleen Wynne Liberals have failed to pro­ claim the legislation into law. So, some police organiza­ tions are simply ignoring it. Not only is the act not being enforced, but its very existence is now in jeopardy, warns criminal defence lawyer John Struthers. He told The Star if the act is not made law before the June election, it could die. "Years have passed without the work being done to develop the regulations in the face of police resistance," Struthers said. "This Liberal government has let us down." The nuts and bolts of the regulations may not be sorted yet, and that is inexcusable after all this time, but a 93-0 vote in the legislature certainly delivered a clear message that this practice is unacceptable. Victimizing people for non-existent crimes is not how a civilized society behaves. So, why does it continue? Unfounded charges can severely impact a person's life. Innocent Canadians have been refused entry to the U.S. because of charges that were dismissed in court (police records are made available to American border officials). Many employers require police background checks in their hiring process and prospective volunteers are also vetted. One man in his 70s was prevented from visiting his daughter, hospitalized with cerebral palsy, because of an unproven allegation (that he threw a diaper) made by his late wife, who was suffering from dementia at the time. Even police notes in a file, possibly describing some­ one as "uncooperative" can be damaging. This has to change, but time is running out for the government to do the right thing and ensure the Police Records Check Reform Act becomes law. No one who is innocent of any crime should be treat­ ed like a criminal. ABOUT US The Oakville Beaver, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. oe O °o m etro landm edia • Connected to your community" The Oakville Beaver is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca nnc Apcna IniideHalton.com ^ editor@oakvillebeaver.com E facebook.com/OakvilleBeav Q @0akvilieBeaver Region achieves top credit rating - again Earning distinction a key objective, writes Carr Moody's Investors Ser­ vice has once again upheld their top credit rating for Halton Region. Earning the highest pos­ sible credit rating from Moody's Investors Service (Aaa) and S&P Global Rat­ ings (AAA) is an important achievement, because it provides us with access to the best capital financing rates available. This en­ ables the Region to contin­ ue to fund major infra­ structure projects at the lowest possible long-term costs, helping your tax dol­ lars go further when we in­ vest in road, water or GARY CARR Column wastewater assets. In short, this distinction helps us maximize invest­ ments in your community while minimizing their tax impact on individuals, fam­ ilies and businesses. Moody's credit opinion report confirms that we continue to succeed through diligent planning and transparent report­ ing. This approach to fis­ cal responsibility has al­ lowed us to keep tax in­ creases at or below the rate of inflation while maintaining strong per­ formance year after year. The report highlighted the following credit strengths: • excellent track record of posting strong fiscal re­ sults each year, supported by stable operations and an effective multi-year bud­ geting process; • forward-looking operat­ ing and capital plans to ad­ dress pressures and spend­ ing requirements early on. S&P Global Ratings up­ held its top credit rating for Halton in June 2017, and earning this distinction from both agencies is a key objective of 2018 Budget and Business Plan. The relationship be­ tween the Region's top credit rating and infra­ structure investment is es­ sential to maintaining our strong long-term financial position. It enhances every program and service we provide while supporting sustainable growth, creat­ ing ideal conditions for business investment and helping us build healthy, complete communities with a high quality of life. Our future is dependent on the strong long-term fi­ nancial position that has placed us at the high end of Canadian municipalities. By preserving this advan­ tage, we help keep Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. To learn more, visit hal- ton.ca/budget. - Gary Carr is Regional Chair o f Halton Region. He can be reached by email at gory. carr@halton. ca. . 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A c c r d d i t e FDSAWAccredited VP and Group Publisher Neil Oliver Regional General Manager Kelly Montague kmontague@metroland.com | 289-293-0614 Managing Editor Angela Blackburn ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com | 289-293-0617 Circulation Manager Kim Mossman kmossman@metroland.com | 905-631-6095 Director Advertising Daniel Baird dbaird@metroland.com 289-293-0624 http://www.mediacouncil.ca mailto:editor@oakvillebeaver.com mailto:kmossman@metroland.com mailto:kmontague@metroland.com mailto:ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com mailto:kmossman@metroland.com mailto:dbaird@metroland.com ABOUT US °o metrolandmedia GARY CARR WHO WE ARE