CTV News has learned that the Ontario government spent millions of tax dollars in preparation for a prison strike that never took place.

The spending spree came as prison guards at correctional facilities threatened to strike during labour negotiations earlier this year. A strike was averted when the guards reached a contract.

In the event the guards had walked off the job, managers would have been expected to run Ontario’s 11 correctional facilities. In order to protect managers and inmates, the Ministry of Community Safety and Correctional Services spent at least $9 million to prepare for the possible job action.

Here’s how the money for was spent:

  • OT and training for managers and re-deployed staff
  • Upgraded inmate recreational areas
  • Upgraded washrooms for prison staff
  • Repairs to inmate showers and toilets
  • Improved laundry facilities
  • Improved HVAC and electrical
  • Room dividers
  • Bed, mattresses, TVs
  • Food and personal hygiene items

A spokesperson for the minister called the spending prudent, saying protecting the safety of the public, staff and the inmates was their top priority.

The provincial NDP’s correctional services critic, however, said the government mismanaged the standoff with the union from the beginning.

“When we’re talking about flat screens and candy and pillowtop mattresses, the government didn’t need to spend money on luxury, they needed to be responsible,” Jennifer French said, adding that the government needs to table specific spending numbers.

“If they’ve got money, and it has to be spent, let’s spend it responsibly,” she told CTV Toronto. “Don’t light it on fire, and don’t make it up as you go.”

The opposition believes the amount spent on strike preparations is much higher than $9 million, and wants to know where all the flat-screen TVs ended up.

Some of the money was also spent to build spaces for religious programs and church services, as well as programs for Alcoholics Anonymous and education courses for the inmates.

The government said it’s maximizing the money that it spent in order to make sure the conditions inside the prisons now are better for everyone.

With a report by CTV Toronto’s Paul Bliss