Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to the witnesses for being here today.
My first question will be for Mr. Wilkins.
Mr. Wilkins, when the shocking Bernardo transfer was finally made public, representatives of your Ontario and Quebec locals stated that they were “baffled” by the decision to transfer Bernardo from a maximum- to a medium-security prison.
Mike Bolduc, the Quebec regional president, said they didn't even know, and that it was “like it was hidden”. He said, “We had no idea. Neither the regional president of Ontario...or me knew this guy was getting transferred.”
I have been informed that only three officers at Millhaven Institution were told of Bernardo's transfer the night before it happened, and they were instructed to keep the transfer a secret. No one else knew. Why do you feel this transfer was hidden from your members and the public?