Human Resources Committee on Oct. 7th, 2010

[The Chair, Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Thank you.

[Yves Lessard, Bloc, Chambly—Borduas, QC]

Just on the—

[The Chair, Conservative, Candice Bergen]

Mr. Lessard, I'm sorry, your time is up, but we may have a chance for another round.

Mr. Comartin.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Mr. Paquette, in response to the question from Ms. Minna, you said your estimate was less than 400. What was the source of that estimate?

[Jacques Paquette]

The Correctional Services of Canada.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

My figures show that there were in fact 398 as of a month ago; 121 were serving life sentences and 19 of those 121 were multiple murderers. Do you know if those figures are correct?

[Jacques Paquette]

I heard about the 398, yes.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

All right. Do you know about the murderers, as opposed to people who are serving sentences for other purposes?

[Jacques Paquette]

No, because what we do here is not about the nature of the sentence but the length of incarceration, which is a different angle.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Let me ask you about that. How did you determine what the length of incarceration would be?

[Jacques Paquette]

The first thing is that for the federal system this is automatic for anybody who has over two years.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

What I'm asking is how you figured out how long they were going to stay in custody. People are eligible for parole under the correction system in this country.

[Jacques Paquette]

Right.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

How did you figure out how long they were going to stay in custody, whether they were there for a life sentence or for armed robbery that would be less than a life sentence?

[Jacques Paquette]

I do not make that determination. Basically, what the--

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Well, my government has put out the position that this is going to save $2 million. How did you come to that figure? Without knowing how long people are going to stay in custody of that 398, how did you come to the figure of $2 million?

[Jacques Paquette]

The calculation is based on roughly how many people at any given time will be in jail. It doesn't mean that each individual will necessarily be in jail, as you said, for a certain determined time. But this is an average that is done. These are estimates based on roughly how many people are incarcerated in the federal system at any given time, and at the moment based on the current numbers. That's basically what it is.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

This $2 million figure is $2 million a year, is that right?

[Jacques Paquette]

Yes, $2 million to $4 million, depending.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

Okay, and that's based on the number of 398?

[Jacques Paquette]

Right--at any given time; that might vary from time to time.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

In terms of the preparation of this bill, it's obvious you spoke to at least Corrections Canada. Did the department consult with anybody else?

[Jacques Paquette]

In the federal system we would always consult with the Department of Justice. Because this is a bill, we would have to consult with the Department of Justice.

[Joe Comartin, NDP, Windsor—Tecumseh, ON]

You say that would be the normal process. Was it in fact done in this case?

[Jacques Paquette]

Of course.