Evidence of meeting #35 for Justice and Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was process.
A recording is available from Parliament.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
I'm just wondering about this.
Mr. Head, are you a lawyer?
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Ms. Pelletier?
Yes, you're a lawyer.
Do you know what “serious time” means legally? I just didn't know, and I was curious if it meant anything.
Monsieur Trudeau or Ms. Pelletier, I need some help here.
4:25 p.m.
Director, Office of Criminal Affairs and Matters, Barreau du Québec
I didn't understand your question, because there was a lot of noise behind us.
Would you like to rephrase your question? I did not understand your question, There was a lot of noise—
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
I'm going to let you off the hook, because I know the French version of clause 1 works for you. But then—
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
4:25 p.m.
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
Unfortunately, honourable member, I think it would be beyond the purview of my role to provide legal advice to this committee. I'm afraid I won't be able to answer your question.
4:25 p.m.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
You wouldn't know what that meant in your role on the parole board then?
4:25 p.m.
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
It's not an issue for us to interpret at the board.
4:25 p.m.
Conservative
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Ms. Pelletier, I have a question for you. When someone is sentenced to imprisonment for life, they remain under the jurisdiction of the parole board for the rest of their life. Have I understood that correctly?
4:25 p.m.
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
They remain under the supervision of the Correctional Service, yes.
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
They remain under the supervision of the Correctional Service for the rest of their life.
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Even if they are released, even if they receive a sentence reduction, they are under the Correctional Service for the rest of their life?
4:25 p.m.
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
Absolutely. Parole doesn't mean that the person isn't serving their sentence any more.
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
4:25 p.m.
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
Absolutely not. They are under the supervision of the Correctional Service.
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
There we are.
Mr. Head, on October 10, 2010, there were 4,774 inmates serving a life sentence. Since 1987 there have been 181 decisions. So a very small minority have made applications.
4:25 p.m.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Of those 181 decisions, 145 have resulted in a sentence reduction. If I understood you correctly, there have been only two failures, that is, only two people, out of all of the people who have been released, who have re-offended with violence.
