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Justice Minister Matt Wiebe announced that the Manitoba government is expanding its electronic monitoring program to rural communities. The initiative, launched in Winnipeg in August, is part of the province’s Public Safety Strategy to address crime and support survivors of intimate partner violence.
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Wiebe stated that the program’s expansion aims to enhance safety for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals by broadening the use of monitoring technology in cases of intimate partner violence. The system employs GPS-enabled ankle monitors to track offenders and notify survivors if their alleged abuser breaches court-ordered conditions. The program is designed to improve safety and provide timely updates to survivors.
“After a successful August launch in Winnipeg, our government is moving forward to expand the program to rural communities,” Wiebe said. “This tool will help support survivors, build safer communities, and help prevent future crime.”
Tsungai Muvingi, the provincial coordinator for the Manitoba Association of Women’s Shelters Inc., welcomed the program’s expansion. “The electronic monitoring program marks a significant step in addressing escalating violence across Manitoba,” Muvingi said. “By combining technology with proactive enforcement, we move closer to a society where women can live without fear and where the justice system upholds their right to safety and dignity.”
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The program is being introduced in various regions, including Steinbach, Selkirk, Pembina Valley, Central Plains, Blue Hills, Westman, and Parkland. The GPS-enabled devices provide 24-7 monitoring, real-time communication with offenders, and alerts to law enforcement when conditions are breached. Offenders can also be directed to stay away from specified locations.
Manitoba RCMP Criminal Operations Officer Chief Superintendent Gord Corbett highlighted the program’s potential. “The electronic monitoring of those on release conditions is an important tool that supports our mandate and helps keep Manitobans safe,” he said.
The expansion aligns with the government’s recently released Safer Neighbourhoods, Safer Downtowns Public Safety Strategy. The province has allocated $2.9 million over two years for the program and may extend funding based on its success. The government is collaborating with stakeholders and municipalities to create safer communities.
Selkirk Mayor Larry Johannson praised the initiative, saying it reflects a shared commitment to community safety. “The expansion of electronic monitoring into rural communities like Selkirk is a significant step towards enhancing safety,” Johannson said. “This initiative is a clear sign that the province is as committed to fostering a safe, thriving Selkirk as we are.”
The Manitoba government will continue to evaluate the program’s impact and work with regional and rural partners to improve public safety across the province.
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