Following a rigorous selection process, Plenary Justice has been selected as the preferred proponent to work with the B.C. government and finalize an agreement to deliver a state-of-the-art Okanagan Correctional Centre (OCC) - one of the final steps prior to putting shovels in the ground.

The Plenary Justice team includes:

• Plenary Group (Canada) Ltd.
• PCL Constructors Westcoast Inc.
• Honeywell Limited (Canada)
• DGBK Architects
• Jug Island Consulting Ltd.

The selection of Plenary Justice follows an extensive evaluation of three teams that were shortlisted and invited to submit proposals to design, build, partially finance and provide facilities management services for the new centre.

The Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services are working to conclude final negotiations with Plenary Justice - a process that is expected to result in the signing of a fixed price, performance-based agreement by early spring 2014, with construction activities beginning shortly thereafter. Details about the agreement and fixed project cost will be made public once the agreement has been finalized.

Local contractors, service providers and job seekers will have the opportunity to meet with Plenary Justice and promote their companies, services and credentials at an upcoming Business-to-Business (B2B) networking session in Oliver on Jan. 30, 2014. The meetings will provide the preferred proponent with valuable insight into the availability and capacity of local services, products and labour.

The B2B networking session is being hosted by the OCC project team, which includes representatives from BC Corrections and Partnerships BC, in collaboration with the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce and the Southern Interior Construction Association.

For more details about the session and to register, business owners can sign-up to the Correctional Centre Business Registry online at: www.sochamber.ca

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"Once completed, the new Okanagan Correctional Centre will more than double corrections capacity in B.C.'s interior, further enhancing public safety for communities, correctional staff and inmates throughout the province. The selection of Plenary Justice for this $200 million investment brings us a significant step closer to creating 1,000 direct and indirect construction jobs for the region. The OCC will also generate 240 new, full-time correctional positions when the centre officially opens its doors in 2016."

Minister of Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services Andrew Wilkinson -

"The selection of Plenary Justice to build this modern, high-security facility was the result of a meticulous, fair and highly-competitive selection process. My ministry will work diligently with its partners to provide sound expertise, knowledge, and strategic advice towards the construction of this project. Plenary Justice will play an important role in helping deliver our government's commitment to enhance public safety and build safer and stronger communities."

South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce president Holly Plante -

"It's very exciting to be working with the Province, Southern Interior Construction Association and Partnerships BC to host a forum that will provide the opportunity for local businesses and service providers to promote their valuable local resources through all levels of this project. The expected economic benefits of this project will be felt throughout this region both immediately and over the long-term for years to come."

Bill Everitt, chief operating officer of Southern Interior Construction Association (SICA) -

"The OCC project will bring well-needed work and employment opportunities to the region. We are very pleased to have the opportunity to work with Partnerships BC and the South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce to provide an opportunity for our construction company members to participate in the upcoming information exchange with Plenary Justice. This demonstrates one of the ways that the Southern Interior Construction Association can help our members be successful in their businesses."

Quick Facts:

• The B.C. government is in the midst of the largest capital expansion plan in BC Corrections' history.
• The OCC - a 378-cell, high-security facility - is the centrepiece of BC Corrections' second-phase capital expansion plan.
• The first phase includes:
• A 20-cell expansion for women at Prince George Regional Correctional Centre (opened in December 2010).
• 104 cells at Alouette Correctional Centre for Women (opened in October 2012).
• 216 cells at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre (scheduled to open in 2014).
• As part of the B.C. government's commitment to a green and energy efficient building strategy, the OCC will be designed to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold certification and will use wood in accordance with the B.C. Building Code and in keeping with government's Wood First Act.

Learn More:

BC Corrections: www.pssg.gov.bc.ca/corrections/index.htm

South Okanagan Chamber of Commerce: www.sochamber.ca

Southern Interior Construction Association: www.sica.bc.ca

Partnerships BC: http://www.partnershipsbc.ca/

Learn about the competitive selection process for the OCC, as well as the signing of historic agreements between government and the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB): http://bit.ly/Kzdi2O

Learn about the Request for Qualifications process for the OCC: http://bit.ly/1aaaLCQ

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 213-3602