Evidence of meeting #47 for Government Operations and Estimates in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was plan.
A recording is available from Parliament.
12:40 p.m.
Bloc
12:40 p.m.
President, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
This is true because I'm not used to dealing with you, and you're not used to dealing with prisoners.
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
If the number of people in prison that don't need to be there were greatly reduced, much better work could be done with those who do need to be there. Much would be learned, and more progress would be made.
12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
So, what you have told us today is that, instead of spending money on cement blocks, on systematic imprisonment, we should simply help both the people who need the programs, those who are imprisoned, and the communities, by investing in them instead of in building more prisons.
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
Yes, and research data confirms this. A lot of research is being conducted on desistance from crime, factors that make a person who has committed a crime head in a new direction, which is the complete opposite of what happens when people are imprisoned. What enables criminals to have a family life and a social network is contact with the community and the ability to get reintegrated. These are values that go beyond the boundaries of any particular religious group.
12:45 p.m.
Bloc
Diane Bourgeois Bloc Terrebonne—Blainville, QC
Do you understand that your ideas are very pro-active, very progressive ideas, which are difficult to implement in certain communities?
What worries me immensely are the imprisoned aboriginals and women. Have you conducted any studies on what will come of this? Will adopting the “tough on crime” approach, as is planned, result in more people in those two groups ending up in prison?
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
We work with the groups conducting those studies, and your assumption is correct.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
Unfortunately, Ms. Bourgeois' allotted time for questions has expired.
Mr. Warkentin, go ahead, please, for seven minutes.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Unfortunately, we have a short period of time, so I'm going to keep the questions short.
You speak, in the letter, about different initiatives this government and Parliament in general are undertaking that you feel are not necessary. When I look at the list of new initiatives being brought forward by the government, I see that the majority of them include protection against those people who are involved in sexual crimes, protection of children against those people who would rape or engage in incest with them. I see provisions to protect Canadians from gun crime. I see an ending of sentence discounts for multiple murderers. I see a mandatory reporting of child pornography on the Internet. I see a Combating Terrorism Act. And I see ending house arrest for serious, violent criminals. These seem to be issues that Canadians universally believe we need to be protected from.
Of those initiatives, which ones do you believe should have reduced prison time?
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
I feel that the language you're using to describe the initiatives—
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
No. I'm—
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
I have a very short period of time. I'm using the language that's included in the bill.
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
Yes, I realize that.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
The goals are very noble, and Canadians certainly identify with the goals. The tools you're proposing will not work.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
Do you believe that prison time is necessary for those people who rape children?
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
I would not use the word “rape” in this context.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
You wouldn't use the word “rape” when we're talking about people who sexually molest children?
12:45 p.m.
Community Chair of Justice, Church Council on Justice and Corrections
I'm saying there are many kinds of offences that occur against children that have to be looked at in terms of individual circumstances.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
No. I'm asking a specific question. Do you believe that people who rape children should be put into prison?
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
Geoff Regan Liberal Halifax West, NS
Mr. Chairman, point of order. Would you ask Mr. Warkentin to stop badgering the witness? He's not in criminal court here.
12:45 p.m.
Liberal
The Chair Liberal John McKay
If we could limit it to short questions and short answers, it would be helpful for everyone.
12:45 p.m.
Conservative
Chris Warkentin Conservative Peace River, AB
It's a “yes or no” question. Do you believe that people who rape children should be put into prison?