Justice Committee on May 13th, 2010

[Michèle Goyette]

The same thing applies everywhere in Canada, I imagine. If it isn't counted in Quebec, then it isn't counted elsewhere either.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

I don't know. I'm asking you the question. I'm getting to the important question.

[Michèle Goyette]

Right.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

In the "General Social Survey on Victimization", we learn from Statistics Canada that most police systems or organizations that deal with offenders, adults or minors, do not make all the reports they are required to make under the law.

According to the "General Social Survey on Victimization", only 34% of cases involving victims are reported. So 66% are missing. Do the statistics for Quebec include that missing 66%?

[Michèle Goyette]

I can't answer that question.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Is that because you don't know or is it because you don't have it.

[Michèle Goyette]

I don't have it.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

You don't have it.

[Michèle Goyette]

In fact, I don't know how the statistics are made. I know they come from Statistics Canada and I imagine it is the same thing everywhere.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

When you state an opinion about the fact that there is a difference between the system in Quebec and the system in Canada, what statistics are you using?

[Michèle Goyette]

I base it on Juristat. I have a version that dates from 2006 and that states that the crime rate in Quebec per 100,000 population is approximately a quarter of the province with the highest rate. I base it on that, it comes from Statistics Canada.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

If I understand correctly, that is the same document as I have. That document is called "Youth court statistics, 2006/2007". That may be what you have in hand, which is based on Statistics Canada's uniform crime reports.

[Michèle Goyette]

Probably.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Thank you.

As well, could you go to clause 21 of the act? You have it in front of you?

[Michèle Goyette]

I have it in front of me, yes.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

I'm talking about clause 21 which is amended.

[Michèle Goyette]

So this is Bill C-4.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Yes, I'm talking about Bill C-4 and clause 21.

[Michèle Goyette]

We are not talking about the act.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

It says, and I quote: "No young person who is under the age of 18 years is to serve any portion of the imprisonment in a provincial correctional facility for adults or a penitentiary."

You understand what that sentence means.

[Michèle Goyette]

I understand very well.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

Has there ever been a person in Quebec under the age of 18 years who has gone to a provincial prison or a penitentiary? To your knowledge, has there been?

[Michèle Goyette]

I may have happened, but if it is the case, there have really been very few. It depends on how many years you want to go back. I could go back 30 years. I have seen minors, but there were very few, perhaps four or five, sum total.

[Daniel Petit, Conservative, Charlesbourg—Haute-Saint-Charles, QC]

That was in Quebec. Are you certain of that?

[Michèle Goyette]

I am fairly sure.