The Selkirk Mental Health Centre has developed a security plan to grant escorted walks for Vince Li, following a decision by a review board.
It will include security officers who are designated as special constables and have received tactical training from Manitoba Sheriff Services.
Vince Li was found not criminally responsible in March 2009 for beheading Tim McLean on a Greyhound bus two years ago on July 30, 2008. Li has been housed inside the Selkirk centre since a court ruling last year.
In June, the Manitoba Review Board decided to grant Li Vince Li escorted walks outdoors on the grounds of the centre, based partly on testimony from his psychiatrist who said Li has been responding to treatment and showed no homicidal thoughts.
Following the review board's decision, Manitoba Justice Minister Andrew Swan said Li's escorted walks outside would not start until added security measures were in place at the centre.
Provincial officials said the escorted walks will be restricted to times when staffing levels at the centre are at their peak.
Tim McLean's mother, Carol de Delley, told CTV News that she feels let down by the decision, especially by the fact there will be no security fence in place.
"I'm not opposed to him being in the fresh air and getting the sunshine, but do it in a secure manner for god's sake," she said. A special facility should be built to house people such as Li, she said.
The province said the decision to not have a fence in place is related to a medical team's response.
"There will be people on both sides of the issue, I think, that will have wanted more, and perhaps the fence might be one of them. The important issue to realize with that is the medical team was seeking the next step in the treatment of the patient to be walks without a fence around him," said Theresa Oswald, Manitoba's health minister.
Oswald also said the fact the security plan was unveiled on the anniversary of McLean's death was a coincidence and she regrets any additional pain it may have caused his family.
No escorted walks for Li will happen until all the security measures are in place, which is expected to take about two months.
The official opposition said the changes to the centre are not an improvement.
"I think they've missed the opportunity now. They've put the public at risk and it's going to be a problem in the future," said Progressive Conservative Justice Critic Kelvin Goertzen.
The security measures are being put into place to ensure the safety of the public and people at the centre, said officials.
The centre also recently added $400,000 in upgrades to security equipment, such as adding additional video surveillance, said provincial officials.
- with a report from CTV's Laura Lowe
