Evidence of meeting #37 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 apply.
A recording is available from Parliament.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
You will hear the Conservatives say the same thing in a few minutes. Mr. Head, from the Correctional Service of Canada, told us that there should be closer communication between the Correctional Service and victims' families.
Are you in favour of more information being provided to victims' families? Would that help them?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
It depends on what kind of information we're talking about.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
I will give you an example. At the present time, if an individual, after serving 15 years in prison, or at the first opportunity to make an application, decides not to do so, victims' families are not given that information. If they received that information, they would know that for at least two years or five years, if certain amendments are passed, they would not have to deal with any such application.
Do you think that giving them this information would help them to carry on after losing their loved one?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
Yes, it could certainly help to ease their stress at the idea of having to go through a process involving a judge and jury. That's all, it seems to me, because it won't ease their pain or reduce the harm caused; however, it will reduce the stress they may feel at having to go through that. Also, I imagine that people's reactions vary from one family to the next or one individual to the next. The way people cope with these kinds of situation varies a lot from one person to the next.
NDP
Joe Comartin NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
I would like to continue in English.
Have you seen any studies at the international level, where they don't have the faint hope clause, that analyze the stress and suffering that families of victims go through elsewhere as being any different from what happens in Canada, where we do have the faint hope clause? Have you seen any studies like that?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
No, unfortunately, I haven't. I couldn't tell you.
NDP
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
Thank you, sir, for attending today at our committee.
I was somewhat surprised when you asked the question, why eliminate faint hope? I don't know whether to take you seriously on that or not. Are you telling us that you genuinely do not perceive the reasons the government wishes to eliminate the faint hope clause?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
When I asked why, it's not that I don't perceive the reasons for the government wanting to withdraw it. The only reason I asked why is that I like to work on evidence-based justice, and the evidence shows me there is not a problem per se that warrants the elimination of the clause at this point.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Let me approach it from that perspective then.
Are you familiar with Ms. Susan O'Sullivan?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
Yes, I am.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
You're aware that she is the Federal Ombudsman for Victims of Crime.
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
Yes.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Are you aware that she set out to gather evidence from victims on the bill that is now before us?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
I'm not aware of any studies she did, but I am aware that some families of victims have said they would like the clause to be removed.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
May I suggest to you that when we are speaking of murder, the families of those murdered are certainly victims, along with the murdered person?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
I agree.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
So rather than speak of families of victims, I'm going to speak of victims as including families. Can we proceed on that basis?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
Sure.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
If I were to tell you that Ms. O'Sullivan, having spoken to victims and gathered that evidence, concluded that victims felt that this bill was justified, would you at least agree with me that there is some evidence on which the government might proceed?
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
I believe you're saying there's some evidence out there that some victims are saying that, and there are probably a lot of other victims who are not saying that, but we're not hearing from them.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
So you're suggesting that the federal ombudsman for victims did not conduct her research appropriately or completely.
Director General, Association des services de réhabilitation sociale du Québec
That is not what I'm saying, because I would not be so pretentious to say that.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
So when she comes to us and says she is there to speak for victims and has spoken to victims, and she is reporting—
