Ontario Takes Next Step to Build New Jail in Brockville

Province issues Request for Qualifications for the Brockville Correctional Complex and St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre

BROCKVILLE — As part of its work to keep dangerous offenders behind bars by building and expanding jails and correctional facilities, the Ontario government is issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to build the new Brockville Correctional Complex and expand the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre. The project will add 295 new correctional beds in Eastern Ontario and is part of the government’s plan to add 1,436 new correctional beds across the province by 2032.

“Our government is cracking down on criminals by building jails and strengthening the bail system to keep violent offenders where they belong: behind bars,” said Premier Doug Ford. “The Brockville expansion is part of our plan to add over 1,400 beds in correctional facilities across the province and ensure lack of space is never an excuse to grant offenders early release.”

Last fall, the Ontario government introduced the Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act, 2025, to hold offenders accountable by making bail more stringent and consequential for people accused of serious crimes. As part of a comprehensive bail reform strategy, Ontario is expanding specialized bail prosecution teams, made up of dedicated Crown prosecutors who partner with provincial and local police to keep serious offenders behind bars.

“When violent and repeat offenders break the law, Ontarians expect them to be held accountable,” said Solicitor General Michael Kerzner. “That’s why our government is strengthening bail laws and making generational investments to expand correctional capacity across Ontario, so that we always have room to keep offenders behind bars and off our streets.”

The Ontario government is making historic investments to ensure dangerous criminals are never released due to a lack of space in adult correctional institutions. The building of the new Brockville Correctional Complex and expansion of the St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre is part of a broader plan to strengthen Ontario’s correctional system with new beds, facility expansions and modernization projects, including:

·                     345 new beds at the Thunder Bay Correctional Complex

·                     320 new beds at the Toronto South Detention Centre

·                     150 new beds between three modular expansions in Niagara, Milton and Sudbury

·                     91 new beds at the Quinte Detention Centre

·                     235 new beds at the Eastern Ontario Correctional Complex.

In the coming months, the government will unveil additional expansions, totalling hundreds of new beds, to further increase capacity across the province.

Quick Facts

·                     Increasing correctional capacity in Brockville will also support the hiring of more than 400 additional correctional staff, including correctional officers, nurses and support staff.

·                     The Brockville Correctional Complex and St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre expansion project will be approximately 322,000 square feet and is being delivered using a Design-Bid-Build model.

·                     In partnership with Infrastructure Ontario, the province has launched a competitive process to find qualified construction contractors to deliver the project. Interested contractors can visit merx.com to download the RFQ and apply.

Quotes

"Expanding the capacity of the Brockville Correctional Complex and St. Lawrence Valley Correctional Treatment Centre makes our community safer by keeping dangerous offenders off the street. As work continues at the site, I’m pleased our government is issuing a Request for Qualifications. Selecting the team to build this facility and replace the 184-year-old Brockville jail is an important step forward as we work to deliver the modern complex that correctional staff deserve."

- Steve Clark

MPP Leeds—Grenville—Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes

"We welcome the investment that the Ontario government is making in our community to build a modern correctional complex that will meet the needs of today and tomorrow. In addition to its core function, the facility will also have economic benefits beyond our own borders by providing good paying jobs that will pay into the regional economy. I am very pleased to see this long-dormant site being put to good use."

- Brant Burrow

Mayor of Elizabethtown-Kitley

"Once complete, these expansion projects will increase the capacity of the Brockville Correctional Complex and St. Lawrence Valley Correctional and Treatment Centre, advancing our government’s plan to deliver a stronger correctional system with modern facilities to keep our communities safe. Under Premier Ford’s leadership, we are building and renewing Ontario’s critical infrastructure through a historic capital plan of more than $223 billion to support growing communities, keep workers on the job and protect Ontario."

- Todd McCarthy

Acting Minister of Infrastructure

"Launching the Request for Qualifications represents a significant milestone and signals the start of a competitive procurement process to bring a construction partner on board. We remain committed to working closely with our government partners and engaging with experienced proponents who can support the delivery of correctional facilities that meet the province’s long-term needs."

- Angela Clayton

President and CEO, Infrastructure Ontario