Thank you.
Hopefully we can get through to the meat and potatoes of this, because I think what we're elected to do here is be the voice of the people who don't have one, in particular, in this case, the victims.
To the point that came earlier that it's an operational decision, who does the commissioner of Corrections Canada report to? It's the Minister of Public Safety. The commissioner of the CSC is recommended for appointment by the Prime Minister and approved by an order in council. This appointed position reports directly to the Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs and is accountable to the public via Parliament. It's important to have on the record what that is.
I want to read into the record a letter that has garnered a lot of attention, and so it should. It is dated March 4, 2024, and is directed to Ms. Kelly, who is the commissioner who reports to Corrections Canada and the Minister of Public Safety.
Ms. Kelly,
As I am sure by now you are aware that the living conditions of serial rapist, psychopath, murderer and dangerous offender Paul Bernardo has been revealed. Contrary to your address, these conditions are quite the opposite to what you led us all to believe. You claimed this was a lateral move. Other than the fact that there are cells and prison guards, the difference between a maximum-security penitentiary and a medium security facility such as La Macaza, couldn’t be more different.
Please help me understand how someone such as Paul Bernardo can be housed in a facility such as this. One of Canada’s most notorious killers. A psychopathic serial rapist. A designated DANGEROUS OFFENDER. Does any of this mean anything? I can only imagine the prisoners remaining in maximum security penitentiaries must be asking the same question. If someone who commits the worst of the worst crimes doesn’t qualify for the harshest conditions, then who does?
This monster is allowed to play pick up hockey, tennis, billiards, workout in a 5-star gym facility, and partake in a workshop with tools. Signing out tools like the ones he used to torture, sodomise, and ultimately kill his victims. Does this seem fair? Logical? Ethical? Right? And your prison staff feel safe? They certainly shouldn’t.
My best friend Kristen French doesn’t get to skate anymore. She was a very skilled, and talented figure skater. She could have taken her love and passion for the sport to the top. But that dream was stolen from her, as was her life. A beautiful life that was filled with so much promise. All taken away by that psychopath monster who is now living the good life.
I understand that Paul Bernardo has rights. I am not disputing that. But these should be basic rights. He took away lives in the worst way possible. There has to be life-long consequences for this. Not rewards.
Ms. Kelly, I have to assume that any human being with common sense can see that this move is nothing short of insanity. It’s ok to make mistakes or revoke bad decisions. This was a very bad decision. I know you and your team claim all the criteria was met and that policies and procedures were followed. You can now see that by moving Bernardo a major mistake was made. You can right this wrong. By leaving Bernardo in medium-security you are telling everyone that what this monster did wasn’t that bad. You are telling other criminals to just do their time quietly, and you will be rewarded despite the severity of the crime you commit.
Is this the message you are wanting to give? I certainly hope not.
There are more details coming out soon with regard to living conditions at La Macaza. It's time to do the right thing for the victims, their families and all Canadian alike. Do the right thing Ms. Kelly. Move Paul Bernardo back to maximum-security where he belongs.
I would encourage this committee—in particular, somebody who sits on this committee and is from the region in which these women were raped and murdered—to further study this with six meetings and with all of these witnesses so we can make sure that this never happens again.
My point, to my colleague to my left, Mr. Paul-Hus, is that the Victims Bill of Rights be upheld, because we haven't seen that under this Liberal government.
Thank you.