National News Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SNIFFING OUT CRIME: DRUG DETECTOR DOGS HELP PROMOTE DRUG-FREE CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTIONS

The Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, attends a demonstration by drug detector dogs and their handlers at Stony Mountain Institution near Winnipeg, Manitoba on Monday November 28, 2011.

Winnipeg, Manitoba, November 28, 2011 – Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Minister of Public Safety, attended a demonstration by drug detector dogs and their handlers at Stony Mountain Institution near Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Minister observed first-hand how the Government is contributing to safer communities by reducing the flow of illicit drugs into Canada’s federal correctional institutions.

“Our Government is continuing to work to ensure that law-abiding Canadian families are safe in their homes, streets and communities,” said Minister Toews. “I am pleased to personally see how these detector dogs and their handlers provide an important and highly effective line of defence in preventing the entry of illicit drugs into our institutions.”

The detector dog program is used at Correctional Service Canada (CSC) institutions across the country, and is one of many steps the Government is taking to prevent and reduce the presence of drugs in the federal correctional system.

As part of CSC’s anti-drug strategy, offenders in the federal correctional system are also provided with substance abuse programming and other rehabilitative resources to help curb criminal behavior. Drug-free institutions increase success rates for offender rehabilitation, and help improve safety for staff and offenders alike.

“The safety and security of Canadian families and communities remains a top priority for this Government,” Toews said. “Eliminating drugs from entering correctional institutions assists offenders with their safe reintegration into the community, and plays a critical role in ensuring public safety for Canadians.”

The number of CSC detector dog teams has increased to 90 in 2011 from 46 in 2008. By 2013, CSC will have 126 teams, including six training teams, helping to crack down on drugs.

- 30 -

FOR MORE INFORMATION, MEDIA PERSONNEL MAY CONTACT:

April Morris
A/Regional Communications Manager
Correctional Service Canada
(306) 975-5082

Michael Patton
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
(613) 991-2865