It allows us to take that into consideration in planning for their future release--that is, whether their partner is going to be part of their family support at their release. It gives us an early indication as to who might be coming to visit them during their period of incarceration.

9:45 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

I hate to say so, but you can see my next question coming--that it seems to me that the same applies pretty well to dependent children, and even to non-dependent children. That is why I cannot understand why you don't ask that question as well. It seems to me that children might come to visit their parents and that if the children are still dependent, it's all the more reason you would want to know they existed. That's the first part.

The second part is, when this bill becomes law, which is likely fairly soon, do you have any intention of changing the questionnaire for people being incarcerated to ask them whether they have any dependent spouses and/or children, so that you have that information and we have that information, and HRSDC eventually has that information as well? It seems to me that it's an important bit of information in terms of the impact this bill is going to have, not only on the incarcerated individual but also on his family, on his dependants.

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

In terms of the first part of your question, again, it's not that we do not collect the information, just that we do not collect it in the same automated manner. It's managed on a case-by-case basis. So a parole officer engaging with an offender in their case load will go through the discussions and determine if they have family members. We just don't collect that information—

9:50 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Why not?

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

We don't collect it in an automated way. It's dealt with on a case-by-case basis.

9:50 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Yes, but you're not answering my question.

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

It's not relevant in terms of the overall information we need to collect. We could collect a thousand pieces of information about a person, but we have to make a determination as to what is manageable within the automated system we have. Again, the information is available in the individual files the parole officers have to manage in relation to the individual, but collecting it in an automated way.... We have no intention of changing our automated system just as a result of this bill.

9:50 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Well, you've answered my question.

Once again, I don't understand why not. It seems to me that when you have an automated system, you can change that system to bring in more questions and modify the questions, or whatever. But you've answered my question, that you have no intention of doing so.

Thank you.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen

That's everything?

9:50 a.m.

Liberal

Raymonde Folco Liberal Laval—Les Îles, QC

Yes, that explained it.

9:50 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Candice Bergen

Okay, then I think there are no other questions on this side.

Now we'll go to Mr. Comartin.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Mr. Head, with regard to this issue of knowledge, if someone, as part of their sentence, were ordered to make financial restitution, we don't know if any of the inmates of those 400 or 800 are subject to those restitution orders?

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

As it stands right now, no. But there is a provision in Bill C-39 that would bring that to the forefront of how we manage those kinds of issues.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

If they're subject to a court order under our family law for support for either a spouse or dependent children, we don't know that at this point either?

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

Not unless the offender discloses that to us, or the order is directed to corrections because they happen to know where the individual is.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

In terms of the law as it stands now and your position under that law, the Correctional Service cannot demand that information from that inmate. Is that correct?

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

We can ask the question, but we can't force them to give us that information.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Okay.

Thirdly, if a victim has sued and obtained a judgment, and is attempting to collect that, including against OAS payments, you would not be aware of that unless the inmate had disclosed it to you.

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

That's right, yes.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Okay.

With regard to the release, how much in advance—I don't know if this is consistent—do you know the exact date of the release of the individual?

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

For statutory release cases, we know well in advance. For day parole or full parole cases, usually it's a month or so in advance. Yes, we have enough lead time.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

Okay.

This goes back to some questions that came up earlier with regard to the $25 limit. That's a policy decision by Corrections Canada, correct?

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

Sorry, I missed the question.

9:50 a.m.

NDP

Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON

The $25 limit.

9:50 a.m.

Commissioner, Correctional Service Canada

Don Head

Oh, yes, the $25 per week.