News Releases

Pacific Region

News Release

Communiqué

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GOVERNMENT OF CANADA IS WORKING TO BUILD SAFER AND STRONGER COMMUNITIES

Making a difference in Pacific communities

Abbotsford, British Columbia, August 4, 2011 – The Honourable Vic Toews, Canada’s Minister of Public Safety, toured Matsqui Institution and Fraser Valley Institution in British Columbia to demonstrate that the Government is working to ensure that offenders have access to facilities and services that contribute to safer communities for all Canadians.

“Our Government continues to provide programs and services that address the needs of offenders and ensure safe communities,” said Minister Toews. “We are making a difference in Pacific communities by contributing to offenders’ successful reintegration.”

The Government of Canada is providing offenders with employment and skills required to become productive citizens, which helps offenders succeed in their reintegration and reduces their risk of re-offending. Through the CORCAN programs, a Special Operating Agency within Correctional Service of Canada (CSC), offenders are provided employment and employability skills training to help them in their successful reintegration.

In addition, addressing the mental health needs of offenders is a corporate priority for CSC. “We must improve our capacity to address the mental health needs of offenders, as CSC is experiencing a significant increase in the number of inmates with mental health needs,” said Minister Toews.

CSC is also continuing its work with women offenders who represent a unique and small population within the federal correctional system. Minister Toews visited the Dog Kennel Program at Fraser Valley Institution which provides opportunities to develop employability skills and qualifications in training and grooming dogs while providing a significant service to our local community. He visited as well the Structured Living Environment that focuses on women offenders with mental health needs.

Correctional Service of Canada is the federal government agency responsible for administering sentences of a term of two years or more, as imposed by the courts. It is responsible for managing institutions of various security levels and supervising offenders under conditional release in the community.

For further information, please contact:

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