National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ottawa, January 16, 2004 — The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is doing its part to reduce hydro consumption during the extreme cold front that is affecting Ontario, Quebec and the Maritime provinces.

Hydro officials from these provinces have been asking the public to cut down on its consumption of electricity during peak periods to reduce the demands on the hydro power grids.

In response to these energy conservation requests, federal correctional institutions in the provinces affected, will begin using their back-up generator systems to power their energy needs during peak demand periods in extreme cold conditions, wherever this is possible. Institutions will also look for other ways to conserve energy while these power concerns exist.

All federal penitentiaries require hydro in order to maintain required security and lighting systems for the safety and security of those sites, which include offenders, staff members and members of the public.

While CSC will be reducing its power use, this will be done without compromising the safety and security of its institutions.

For further information, please contact the following:

Suzanne Cobb -- NHQ
Correctional Service of Canada, Ottawa
(613) 943-5048

Ed Muise -- ATLANTIC
Correctional Service of Canada, Moncton
(506) 851-2833

Normand Daoust -- QUEBEC
Correctional Service of Canada, Laval
(450) 967-3350

Diane Russon -- ONTARIO
Correctional Service of Canada, Kingston
(613) 545-8210