When important decisions are made in the aboriginal community, we are often reminded by the elders that we must think seven generations ahead. As Oren Lyons, Faithkeeper of the Onondaga Nation, has said:
In our ways of life, in our government, with every decision we make, we always keep in mind the seventh generation to come. It's our job to see that the people coming ahead, the generations still unborn, have a world no worse than ours - hopefully better. When we walk on Mother Earth we always plant our feet carefully because we know the faces of our future generations are looking up at us from beneath the ground. We never forget them.
We realize that it is often difficult for politicians, particularly in a minority Parliament, to think 10 or 15 years down the line, never mind seven generations. But the sad reality is that the tragedy of aboriginal over-incarceration in this country can at least be partially understood by the fact that decision-makers have often not looked at all on the impact of their decisions on aboriginal communities. It is because we so often do not look forward and contemplate the outcomes of our decisions that we leap to hasty conclusions and quick fixes. Even if we cannot solve a problem, we want to look like we are solving a problem.
In our opinion, Bill C-9 is an example of a hasty, ill-advised response to what is perceived to be public unease with the operation of the criminal justice system. It is a response that will have a disproportionate impact on aboriginal offenders and will make the already growing problem of aboriginal over-incarceration worse; and it will do so with no corresponding benefits in terms of increased public safety.
We urge this committee to carefully review this bill and to recommend against its adoption. Conditional sentences can play an important role in addressing the root causes of offending behaviour. They are not a panacea, but they are a very useful sentencing option for judges. Removing this option in a significant number of cases is a serious step backwards.
Thank you.