I have a couple of quick comments.
One, incarceration exists in part to separate people who pose a risk to society from their potential victims. What I have heard through their stories though are people whose lives have been changed while they were incarcerated because they got access to the program and the rehabilitation they finally needed.
At an event recently, a guy got up and told his story. He had been arrested by the Winnipeg police again and again. He sat in jail one day, and finally he said, “I have a young son. I want to be a good dad.” He grabbed hold of the rehabilitation program that was available to him. He changed his life. He now has three kids, is married and has had a full-time job for three years because he got access to what he needed while he was in prison.
I agree with the chief. Working with first nations and indigenous leadership is critical to making that progress. As he said, statistically that is absolutely what is needed. I think all parts of the system need to work.