Justice Committee on Oct. 18th, 2017

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Again, I'm not going to reiterate the redundancy of 176 and the reasons I gave earlier, but both paragraphs (a) and (b) speak to clergymen, isolating it to what is interpreted as being individuals, clergymen, or ministers of the Christian faith, and we do not want to limit it or isolate it to that.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Mr. Angus.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

I want to continue on the question of ensuring protection in the areas of sexual violence, because we deal with victims who have mental health issues and diminished intellectual capacities, where the system simply doesn't work for them. They get eaten up in the system.

Conversely, many people who end up as defendants, who are of a broken background, particularly those who suffered abuse in communities where they grew up and then ended up on the street, find that the system does not seem to address them in a fair manner, ensuring justice and protection.

Has your department put a lens on these issues of ensuring equity for both the defendants and complainants in cases of violence, in terms of mental health issues, diminished intellectual capacity, and fetal alcohol syndrome, and what steps does the justice system need to take to adjudicate these issues?

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

This is a long conversation, and I would love to continue to have it with you around the substantive steps we have taken in terms of the broad, comprehensive reforms of the criminal justice system.

For me, the reality, in terms of the corrections system, is that approximately 70% of the individuals who are in the criminal justice system suffer from mental health issues, addictions, and are marginalized individuals. There's an absolutely appalling overrepresentation of indigenous peoples in that system. I am committed, through our comprehensive reform of the justice system, to ensure we put justice back into that system, recognizing that we must protect public safety, that we need to respect and support victims of crime, and that we need to uphold the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

I'm looking forward to bringing forward, in concert and collaboration with my counterparts in the provinces and territories, substantive reforms to the justice system. We need to address delays, but also be very mindful that we need to do better in terms of individuals that find themselves, whether they're an accused person or a victim of crime, in the criminal justice system for reasons other than being inherently criminal.

I am a strong proponent, when somebody is in the justice system, of finding the necessary off-ramps for that individual, off-ramps that would provide the necessary care, whether that's treatment, ensuring we promote sentencing circles, or culturally appropriate transitions, as an example, for indigenous offenders.

Restorative justice measures across the country are something that I'm absolutely passionate about and hope to, and intend to, propel further.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you. Just a quick follow-up.

No politicians ever got elected by saying they were going to provide justice for people in the criminal system. It requires enormous resources, especially given how overcrowded the court system is, the delays, and the difficulties in jails. This would require a major commitment to stop being just tough on crime, but to start being smart on crime.

What kinds of resources are we looking at from the justice department to make this happen?

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

I am working very closely with my counterpart, the Minister of Public Safety. We have, and will continue to advocate for the necessary resources in order to achieve the changes that we're seeking in terms of the criminal justice system.

Likewise, I've been working very closely, as have my officials, with my counterparts in the provinces and territories, recognizing that the administration of justice is a shared responsibility. I'm very pleased with the common priorities we've identified in terms of substantive and bold measures that we can take to reduce delays. These include preliminary inquiries, mandatory minimum penalties, administration of justice offences, and bail reform.

Judicial case management has potential areas we can look at as well. We've had discussions around the federal-provincial-territorial table on how we can do better to recognize, address, and put in the necessary services, knowing full well this will require resources to substantively address those individuals who have mental health issues, addictions issues, or have fetal alcohol syndrome.

We also recognize that there are challenges that need to be addressed that aren't necessarily criminal in nature, but that we have to do better in matters of providing adequate housing for individuals to stay in, rehabilitate, and transition into the job market. This is a cross-government reality and approach, and a necessary commitment that our government has made. I look forward to working with you, and all members of this committee, as we roll out our broad criminal justice reforms.

[Charlie Angus, NDP, Timmins—James Bay, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Anthony Housefather]

Thank you very much.

Is it fair to say, members, that we can also excuse the officials together with the minister, or were there separate questions for the officials?

If not, I want to thank you very much, Minister, and I want to thank you both as well, ladies, for coming to accompany the minister. It is very much appreciated.

Colleagues, we're going to have a short recess, and then we're going to resume because we have a couple of committee items that will be very short. We'll now have a five-minute recess.

Thank you again, Minister.

[Jody Wilson-Raybould, Liberal, Vancouver Granville, BC]

Thank you very much.

[Proceedings continue in camera]