Public Safety Committee on Oct. 6th, 2009
Evidence of meeting #32 for Public Safety and National Security in the 40th Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was health.
A recording is available from Parliament.
On the agenda
MPs speaking
Also speaking
- Clerk of the Committee Mr. Roger Préfontaine
- Howard Sapers Correctional Investigator, Office of the Correctional Investigator
- Nathalie Neault Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator
11:35 a.m.
Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator
In my opinion, it will be important for committee members to spend time with both of these people. Ms. Paquette will be able to give you an overview of the operational challenges of managing a treatment centre located in a penitentiary. In addition, I advise you to meet with the clinical director of the regional mental health centre. He may be able to shed a different light on the challenges of managing and delivering professional mental health services, given that security imperatives always seem to take precedence over mental health treatment services.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
11:40 a.m.
Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator
No, Pierre Landry is the clinical director.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Ahuntsic, QC
So he will be able to explain how things work in terms of security, clinical management and so on.
11:40 a.m.
Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator
Yes.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Ahuntsic, QC
Do you think it would be a good idea to meet with the head psychiatrist, if we have time? I believe it is Mr. Da Silva.
11:40 a.m.
Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator
In this particular case, I would strongly encourage you to meet with Ms. Roy, a psychiatrist. She provides services on a priority basis to the Special Handling Unit, which you will be visiting, and the regional reception centre. She will be able to give you a very good idea of the needs of offenders upon admission and of the Special Handling Unit.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
Maria Mourani Ahuntsic, QC
Since the regional mental health centre is part of the facility and since we will be at the Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines site, perhaps we could see the regional reception centre.
11:40 a.m.
Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator
Absolutely. The regional reception centre is in the same facility as the Special Handling Unit. Each of those organizations occupies about half of the facility. It will give you an opportunity to get a sense of both realities.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
11:40 a.m.
Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator
That is correct.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
11:40 a.m.
Director of Investigations, Office of the Correctional Investigator
The Correctional Service of Canada did indeed suggest that a special handling unit could be opened again. It was a unit in the Saskatchewan penitentiary that existed more than 10 years ago but was closed. There was no need for extra bed space. In the past two years, there was talk of re-opening a special handling unit. Funding was even set aside. But we were told that the idea had since been rejected.
11:40 a.m.
Bloc
11:40 a.m.
Conservative
The Chair Garry Breitkreuz
Are there any more questions from the Bloc?
Mr. Davies, do you have any comments or questions?