Evidence of meeting #35 for Justice and Human Rights in the 40th Parliament, 3rd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was process.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
I'm just wondering about this.
Mr. Head, are you a lawyer?
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
Ms. Pelletier?
Yes, you're a lawyer.
Do you know what “serious time” means legally? I just didn't know, and I was curious if it meant anything.
Monsieur Trudeau or Ms. Pelletier, I need some help here.
Director, Office of Criminal Affairs and Matters, Barreau du Québec
I didn't understand your question, because there was a lot of noise behind us.
Would you like to rephrase your question? I did not understand your question, There was a lot of noise—
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
I'm going to let you off the hook, because I know the French version of clause 1 works for you. But then—
Conservative
Liberal
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
Unfortunately, honourable member, I think it would be beyond the purview of my role to provide legal advice to this committee. I'm afraid I won't be able to answer your question.
Liberal
Derek Lee Liberal Scarborough—Rouge River, ON
You wouldn't know what that meant in your role on the parole board then?
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
It's not an issue for us to interpret at the board.
Conservative
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Ms. Pelletier, I have a question for you. When someone is sentenced to imprisonment for life, they remain under the jurisdiction of the parole board for the rest of their life. Have I understood that correctly?
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
They remain under the supervision of the Correctional Service, yes.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
They remain under the supervision of the Correctional Service for the rest of their life.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Even if they are released, even if they receive a sentence reduction, they are under the Correctional Service for the rest of their life?
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
Absolutely. Parole doesn't mean that the person isn't serving their sentence any more.
Bloc
Executive Vice-Chairperson, National Parole Board
Absolutely not. They are under the supervision of the Correctional Service.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
There we are.
Mr. Head, on October 10, 2010, there were 4,774 inmates serving a life sentence. Since 1987 there have been 181 decisions. So a very small minority have made applications.
Bloc
Marc Lemay Bloc Abitibi—Témiscamingue, QC
Of those 181 decisions, 145 have resulted in a sentence reduction. If I understood you correctly, there have been only two failures, that is, only two people, out of all of the people who have been released, who have re-offended with violence.
