Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Of course, I started with the COVID‑19 situation in federal prisons, because that's what has been in the news this year.
However, there's another extremely disturbing situation, which is part of the motion that was introduced: the reports of sexual coercion and violence in federal prisons. The Correctional Investigator of Canada's report was quite clear. He pointed out that there is a genuine culture of silence. He clearly said that this issue is never, or almost never, discussed in the public eye. I wonder why that is.
My question is for Mr. Wilkins of the Union of Canadian Correctional Officers and any other witnesses who have something to say about this culture of silence. What needs to be done to talk more about it and find solutions?
I invite the witnesses to respond to my question.