Thank you very much, Mr. Chair, and through you to the witnesses, thank you for attending today.
We had a brief conversation before the meeting, so I'll cut to the chase because, quite frankly, I'm very happy that this committee is looking into this study. I think it's a good-news story, not that there are improvements that couldn't be made to the CORCAN regime. I'm sure we're going to hear from witnesses where we can get those improvements, and I know for a fact that's what you and your very capable staff are hoping for also. Anyway, it's a good-news story in my opinion.
The reason I say that is not that I necessarily listen to the...and I'm one of those talking heads, because I've gone into the prison system and I've seen it in action and spoken to the inmates, as well as the instructors. I came away with the feeling that there's much more we can do in this area, working with you to see that it's done.
I'm going to ask for a couple of things, because the bottom line when we train inmates is that we want those inmates, once they receive a certification or are on the route to certification.... I'd like to talk to some people who are the recipients of the hard work of our correctional system and the employees there, who are also quite motivated. I'm going to ask if you or your staff would be able to provide the committee with an eclectic mix of several private sector enterprises that have used the services and hired that inmate, so we can get a flavour for what they feel are the results of your labours. Perhaps they can give us some improvements we can all work on.
Because, in the end, what we want—and then I'm going to ask for a comment from you—are people who have the knowledge, skills, and ability to be able to earn a good living for themselves and their family so they don't have to resort to a life of crime. That's the aim of every person at this table, whether they be on the other side or this side, that's what we all hope for. We just sometimes have a difference of opinion as to how we can achieve that. That's my first ask of you.
The second one is you mentioned some of the programs. Have you received any feedback from the private sector with regard to some programs that you might want to embark on that you are not already doing, and if so, what are they? What's your experience from your perspective of the product you're putting out there and that is a person who is better able to function in our society?