Citizenship and Immigration Committee on Oct. 26th, 2006

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I will ask some questions concerning the conditions in detention for the persons detained in Kingston. Do they have facilities for family visits? Can they share a meal with their family and children? Do they have access to cafeteria services? Do such facilities exist?

Likewise, these people have differing cultures and religions. Are their religious choices respected—Ramadan, for instance—and all that might entail?

Earlier you mentioned a check on conditions of detention done once every six months. What did you mean?

[Susan Kramer]

I'll begin with the conditions of detention. When the centre was created, one of the first things we looked at was emergency response; for example, transportation, evacuation, what to do in the case of fire, what to do in the case of an emergency situation. Once those emergency response and contingency plans were done, we looked at other things—for example, visits. The detainees are allowed to have 3.5 hours of visits any day except for a statutory holiday. Usually they have to apply ahead of time, for security reasons. They're allowed fresh air for four hours and 45 minutes per day. They have access to a gym.

The facility is self-contained, so the entrance is separate from the adjacent Millhaven Institution. As a result, because they're together—they are not in segregation or protective custody—they can mingle with each other, they can talk with each other. There is a common area. They can eat together.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Can they share a meal together?

[Susan Kramer]

Sure.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

What can they eat?

[Susan Kramer]

Special arrangements have been made to respect their religious requirements; for example, they get halal meals. When it is Ramadan, they make sure they get a—

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Yes, but can the family share a meal together? During Ramadan, can they share a meal together?

[Susan Kramer]

When the family comes to visit, they can eat together if they want. All the people who come in, of course, are searched.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Okay, but what time are the visits?

[Susan Kramer]

They're any time between 12:30 and 4:30.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Okay, so at the time of Ramadan, they cannot share a meal together at the time they can eat together.

[Susan Kramer]

That's correct.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

But what we were told by the family is that when they go to visit during the visit time, they only have access to the machines, and the machines that are there only have chocolate bars, chips, and soft drinks.

[Susan Kramer]

There's a redress procedure in place, and if they want some conditions changed, we're open to everything. We're willing to consider their requirements, but they must bring them to our attention.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

So what you're alleging is that at the present time the family has not mentioned this.

[Susan Kramer]

That's correct.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

Okay. We'll find out. We'll make sure that you get the request from the families.

[Susan Kramer]

They have access to phone calls.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

The rest we know. We just wanted to know whether the religious culture is respected and that they have visits at the time when, during Ramadan, they share family time. I just wanted to know that, because it is important. In the provincial facility, it was one of their requests.

[Susan Kramer]

We have hired an imam to ensure that the religious requirements are respected.

[Meili Faille, Bloc, Vaudreuil—Soulanges, QC]

It's okay. Thank you.

[The Chair, Conservative, Norman Doyle]

Order.

I'm going to Madame Deschamps for the last minute, please.

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I have another question. You stated that, since 1991, 27 security certificates have been issued. Are you in a position to say how many of the persons subject to a security certificate were deprived of the possibility of being heard, of knowing the charges brought against them and of being able to answer them?

[Daniel Therrien]

The procedure is such that the person cannot see all the evidence, but…

[Johanne Deschamps, Bloc, Laurentides—Labelle, QC]

Neither can he or she be present.