Let's Talk

Minister's Message

Our Minister of Public Safety

The Let’s Talk production team recently had the opportunity to interview the Correctional Service of Canada’s new Minister of Public Safety, the Honourable Stockwell Day. It has been a very busy time for our Minister since he was sworn in on February 6, 2006, so on behalf of all Let’s Talk readers, we thank him for speaking with us.

Q: Minister Day, in your early days as federal Minister of Public Safety, what things about your new job have impressed you?

Two things stand out. The scope and breadth of the different organizations that report to me under the Public Safety umbrella, including CSC, is breathtaking. Secondly, I have been deeply impressed by the dedication of the people who work in the name of public safety for Canadians. I want to take this opportunity to tell all CSC employees from across the country — all 16,000 of you — that I know your work is challenging, and I very much appreciate what you do. Most Canadians are unaware of the serious nature of the tasks performed every day and night by the CSC employees who are on the job for our security.

I toured Bowden Institution when I was a Member of the Provincial Legislature in Alberta, but I did not have the opportunity to see other institutions. Since my appointment as Minister of Public Safety last month, I’ve already had the chance to visit several sites, including Kingston Penitentiary, several institutions in Abbotsford, William Head Institution in Victoria and, most recently, Nova Institution. Each one is certainly different! I am on a learning curve, but I am getting to know the differences between our various institutions and their programs, services and results.

I also want to see and learn more about the community side of CSC’s work in parole offices and community correctional centres.

I’m impressed that over 7,000 Canadians support CSC by volunteering in the community or in institutions and serving on the many citizens’ advisory committees and in other organizations. That support helps shape and guide effective corrections.

Q: After touring some CSC facilities you spoke about the importance of reducing reoffending, particularly violent reoffending. Would you like to expand on this?

Well, as you know, Prime Minister Harper has set out five priorities for the new federal government. The Speech from the Throne in early April will elaborate more fully on the Government of Canada’s overall direction, but we know that CSC will have a very important role to play in the priority of “protecting Canadian families and communities by strengthening the justice system.”

Canadians have been clear on this. They are focused on the issue of reoffending, particularly violent reoffending, because they want to feel safe in their homes and in their communities. They want to know that when people come out of institutions, they will do no harm, so I’m particularly interested in working with CSC to achieve a reduced level of violent reoffending.

Q: Do you foresee any fundamental changes to the Mission of CSC?

I don’t foresee any fundamental changes. I know that CSC employees are guided by this Mission, which remains basically sound since it was first signed in 1989.

Canadians now want more in terms of feeling secure in their communities, so I’ve asked to have some words included in the Mission that specifically reflect CSC’s contributions to public safety and security. At the same time, I want you to know that I am comfortable with the core elements of the Mission, including the focus on “actively encouraging and assisting offenders to become law-abiding citizens, while exercising reasonable, safe, secure and humane control.”

Q: CSC has been working on developing a set of strategic priorities to help achieve strong public safety results. Would you like to talk a bit about the direction you see CSC heading?

As I mentioned earlier, one of our government’s top priorities is to strengthen the justice system, and CSC will be a key contributor to getting results in this area. The four areas of priority that Commissioner Coulter and I have talked about, and are still examining, seem to fit well with this goal.

The safe transition of offenders into the community is certainly an area where we can and must continue to make progress. Having a focus on safety and security for both staff and offenders is also needed as we pursue the goal to decrease violent behaviour in federal institutions and reduce illicit drugs. We also need to achieve better results for Aboriginals, and we must improve the way we are addressing the mental health needs of offenders.

So I have asked the Commissioner to ensure that CSC’s business plan for the coming fiscal year is focused on achieving concrete results in terms of enhanced public safety in these key areas. And I will be working with him to determine where we have gaps, including resource gaps, so that we can continue to strengthen our approach to corrections over time.

I appreciate the personal contact I have with our front-line people. I want to see their important occupational and security issues addressed. They, and all dedicated CSC employees, are there for us. I want to be there for them. ♦