Thank you.
My next questions are for representatives of both the Native Women's Association of Canada and the Canadian Association of Elizabeth Fry Societies.
I would like to talk about searches and the use of force. The members of the Elizabeth Fry Society who visited the Edmonton institution last fall said they were shocked to see that aboriginal women were subject to very invasive searches. They were asked to lift up their breasts and spread their buttocks. This brings up painful memories for those who may have been sexually assaulted. You said that a female offender who had refused this type of search was pepper sprayed.
According to the Office of the Correctional Investigator, in 2016-17, strip search procedures were not followed 25% of the time.
I would like to hear your recommendations regarding search practices and the use of force.