Justice committee  She said it all.

Justice committee  I'm going to reiterate that consultation needs to take place. The removal of conditional sentences, or whatever you call it--I see it as a removal--will greatly impact aboriginal people. It would add to the overrepresentation of aboriginal people in the justice system. We are co

Justice committee  No, that's not true. The main root cause is—

Justice committee  I worked in the aboriginal issues branch at the Correctional Service of Canada, and I come from a community. The root cause is not simply alcohol and drug addiction. It's residential schools and the “60's scoop”--these have intergenerational effects. The child welfare system is

Justice committee  Yes, and I'm just letting you know that I'm somebody who has worked in those institutions and with these people.

Justice committee  I'm an aboriginal. I come from a community where these issues have arisen, and yes, alcohol and drugs are factors, but they're always just one factor. We have to look at things like residential schools, fetal alcohol syndrome, mental health issues. These are root causes for abori

Justice committee  I'm from Tobique First Nation in New Brunswick, and I worked in the correctional system for three years. I worked with the policy adviser group there, and then I worked in the institution with these aboriginal men and women we're talking about today. The root causes are the rea

Justice committee  Yes, there have been some circumstances when NWAC has been consulted. For example, in legislation concerning the Indian Act, Indian Affairs often comes and consults with major national aboriginal organizations.

Justice committee  I'm from the Native Women's Association of Canada in Ottawa. The proposed change in conditional sentences undermines the fundamental principles of sentencing, which emphasize elements of restorative justice. This is especially true for aboriginal populations, for whom restorati

Justice committee  With all due respect, we are going to have to call upon the translation service, because you did not submit... Oh, pardon me, I am speaking too fast......

Justice committee  Okay, I'll slow down. In other words, it is not the existence of conditional sentences that is problematic, but, rather, their use in cases that seem clearly to call for incarceration. We would not like to see a fear-based response to crime that would eventually hurt especi