Thank you, Mr. Chair. Welcome to the witnesses.
I want to make something clear right off the bat here. Our interest is clearly to do whatever we can to help these offenders find some prudent, functional jobs and to be able to integrate into a society where they can do well. I know that the Correctional Service of Canada has that very same view on trying to make sure that we give these offenders the best possible tools to make sure that's a reality. I know many of the committee members agree with that, regardless of what side we sit on.
I'd like to focus my questions on some of the costs, but I want to say very clearly that there were some statements made here today that were uneducated statements. I have been to a prison farm. I'm sure, Mr. Easter, many people here have been, so some of your assumptions are without any research or validity.
Nevertheless, I come from a family who farmed as well. My mother grew up on a farm. My mother then went on to be a prison guard. So she too agrees that we need to give prisoners and offenders the best tools possible so that they can succeed.
With that statement made, I would like to touch on some questions, again, about the finances of this. You did state earlier that during the fiscal year 2008-09 a total of 14 offenders found job placements in the agriculture sector, right?