News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Toews: A safe and secure society is worth the cost

Prison expansion supports commitment to building stronger communities and safer streets

Abbotsford, British Columbia, November 29, 2010 – Today, the Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, and Ed Fast, Member of Parliament for Abbotsford, announced the Government of Canada is investing in the expansion of federal prisons in British Columbia to better provide for the protection, safety and security of Canadians.

“Our Government is proud to be on the right side of this issue — the side of law-abiding citizens, the side of victims who want justice, and the side that understands the cost of a safe and secure society is an investment worth making,” said Minister Toews. “The expansion of institutions in the Fraser Valley not only reaffirms our government’s commitment to British Columbia, but helps ensure that criminals serve sentences that better reflect the severity of their crimes.”

This $77.5-million expansion will involve the construction of one new 96-bed living unit at Kent Institution, one new 96-bed living unit at Matsqui Institution, one new 96-bed chronic care unit at Pacific Institution/Regional Treatment Centre, one new 50-bed living unit at Ferndale Institution, and 24 new accommodation spaces at Fraser Valley Institution. It is anticipated that the new accommodation spaces will be completed in 2013-2014.

“In the previous system, a violent criminal sentenced to nine years in prison could potentially be on our streets in as little as three years if he or she spent two years awaiting trial. This possibility is not acceptable to Canadians,” said MP Fast. “We are acting to ensure that criminals pay their debt – their full debt – to society.”

It is anticipated that over the coming years, CSC will be adding over 2,700 beds to men’s and women’s facilities across Canada.

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For further information, please contact:

Alain Charette
Communications Manager, Pacific Region
Correctional Service of Canada
(604) 870-2680

Christopher McCluskey
Office of the Minister of Public Safety
(613) 991-2865