Ontario’s political parties respond

LIBERALS

Liberal Leader Kathleen Wynne said Thursday she has been working hard to tackle the troubling issues raised in the Star probe.

“I believe leadership is the ability to bring people together to tackle challenging issues,” Wynne told the Star in an email.

“That’s why we’re working together with our community partners to examine the disclosure of nonconviction records.

“It is important we address this issue while striking the right balance between community protection and personal freedom,” she added.

Wynne said that if she wins this Thursday’s election, she would “continue to work with these community partners, as we have been doing since I became premier, to respond to their recommendations through legislative or other changes.”

NDP

“When disclosure of nonconviction records by the police jeopardizes an individual’s access to employment or other opportunities it raises serious concerns around the integrity of the right to the presumption of innocence in our justice system,” said Jagmeet Singh, the NDP’s Attorney General critic and Bramalea-Gore-Malton candidate.

“The presumption of innocence represents a fundamental pillar of our legal system and New Democrats are committed to protecting this important right. An NDP government will work with Ontarians to bring forward the legislative changes that are needed to properly address these concerns.”

CONSERVATIVES

No response to repeated requests for comment.