Evidence of meeting #19 for Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities in the 41st Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was jail.
A recording is available from Parliament.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Butt Conservative Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
So in essence, under the current system, the criminal almost always would qualify, but in most cases a victim probably wouldn't. Is that fair?
5:10 p.m.
President, Victims of Violence
That's fair.
I'm not saying that we should bring victims into the 104 weeks. All I'm saying is that criminals are already there—take it away. That's what I'm saying: repeal it.
5:10 p.m.
Conservative
Brad Butt Conservative Mississauga—Streetsville, ON
Right, and my point, and I think what Mr. Harris said when he spoke to the committee, is that he calls this his “fairness bill”. He believes this is about levelling the playing field, about having it fair to everyone so that victims and criminals...so there's some fairness there. But people who commit crimes don't have the same rights as law-abiding citizens in Canada. It has been clear for a long, long time in this country that we recognize that.
5:10 p.m.
President, Victims of Violence
Yes. It's common sense.
However, I am definitely a supporter of putting money into rehabilitating the person so they can become a law-abiding citizen. I've been in many prisons right across Canada and I can tell you that there are some excellent programs in there. It makes me feel proud when I talk to some of them. Some of these are very hard-core criminals, too. I realize that we're only talking about provincially right now. I mean, to see some of these people who are working towards becoming a chef and everything...it's really good. If there are going to be any moneys put out, I would say to keep them in the rehabilitation part.
Again, let me stress that I'm not saying to take away or repeal this section because it has to do with criminals and instead give this to victims. I'm not saying that at all. I'm just saying that we must have a fair playing field here.
5:15 p.m.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Ed Komarnicki
Thank you very much for your presentations, Ms. Rosenfeldt and Mr. Thomas.
The bells aren't ringing, and if the committee is okay with it, we'll go in camera to deal with the budget. It will just take us a few seconds.
You'll be excused and we'll go in camera. Thank you very much for appearing.
5:15 p.m.
President, Victims of Violence
Thank you very much.
[Proceedings continue in camera]